There is much difference of opinion concerning this article. Some consider it quite as good as oats in every respect; others allege that it is too laxative; others that it is heating; some that it is cooling; and some that it is flatulent. In Spain, and in some other places, horses and mules receive no grain but barley; in this country it is very often boiled and given once a day, and sometimes a little is given raw with every ration of oats; and one or two proprietors have used, and perhaps still use it to the entire exclusion of oats. I can not, from personal observation, tell what are its effects when given habitually without mixture. But when given along with a few oats or beans, so as to form only a part of the feed, I know that barley has none of the evil properties ascribed to it. I am daily among a large number of horses, both fast and slow-workers, who receive a considerable quantity in the course of the twenty-four hours. At first, it relaxes the bowels a little, and unless it be mingled with chaff the horses swallow the grain whole. They seem to swallow it more readily than oats. After a week or two the bowels return to their ordinary state. The skin and the coat are almost invariably improved by barley, particularly when boiled and given warm.

Like every other kind of grain, it is somewhat indigestible, until the stomach becomes accustomed to it. If much be given at first, the horse is likely to take colic. But by gradually increasing the quantity from day to day, deducting the oats in proportion, the horse may be safely inured to barley without any other grain.

White tells us of a Southampton postmaster, who fed his horses entirely on barley and cut straw. They were given together, and the barley was steeped in water twelve hours before it was given. Two pecks of barley and one bushel of straw formed the daily allowance. It is said that, upon this, " the horses did more work, and were in better condition, than others at the same task upon the ordinary feeding." This is the usual story whenever any new mode or article is recommended. But nevertheless, it seems sufficiently clear that barley is not much, if at all inferior to oats. The price should influence the choice. Spotted or dark-colored barley, though rejected for malting, may be quite good enough for food, and it is often to be bought at the price of oats. It weighs about fifty pounds the bushel. Giving weight for weight of oats, at forty pounds the bushel, there are only ten feeds, while barley gives twelve and one half.

Boiled Barley is used chiefly among stage, cart, and road horses. It is rarely given to the racer or to the hunter, ex cept when sick. Boiled to jelly, it is good for a hard dry cough, when there is no fever.

Barley Mash

Barley steeped or boiled.

Malted Barley is that which has been germinated. It is steeped or moistened, and spread in a layer till it sprout. In that state it is given, though not very often. Horses are very fond of it, and they will take a little of this when they refuse almost everything else. But I do not know how they would do upon it for constant use.

Malt is used a good deal on the continent, and is supposed to be highly nutritious, more so than the raw barley. But in this country the heavy duty upon malt forbids its use for horses; and it is not certain that the process of malting improves the grain so much as to pay its cost. [Malting and cooking are valuable where it is required to lay on flesh; but for working condition the food should be dry.]