Barley-Growing and Selection in IrelandAuthor(s): Herbert HunterSource: The Irish Naturalist, Vol. 17, No. 11 (Nov., 1908), p. 246Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25523356 .

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246 The Irish Naturalist November,

BARLEY-GROWING AND SELECTION IN IRELAND. BY HEJRBKRT HUNTER, B.SC.

After dealing with the manner of origin of many of the varieties of

cereals which are to-day in cultivation and the methods of improvement

adopted by early workers, such as Le Conteur and Sherriff, the author

proceeded to describe some of the leading varieties of barley in use in

Ireland to-day. Some recent experiments in the cultivati on of this cereal

carried out by the Department of Agriculture in Ireland were referred

to, and the main conclusions of these investigations dealt with. The

special requirements of bailey for malting purposes were described,

together with the effect of pure and mixed seed on the quality of the

produce. The author then proceeded to enumerate the various methods

adopted for the production of pure seed supplies, and showed by actual

examples from experimental single-ear cultivations of Old Irish

Chevallier and Archer varieties the existence of many closely related

strains of the same variety. The constancy of the characteristics of

each type was then dealt with, and their adverse influence on a pure seed supply demonstrated.

The existence of " quality

" in barley as a specific character was

pointed out, and the possible lines of improvement indicated.

As good "quality" and high yield do not appear to be co-existent

in present-day varieties, selection of the forms possessing these

characteristics in the highest degree must eventually lead to hybrid isation. In all cases, however selection of varieties with demonstrated

characteristics must precede hybridisation, as this process results in

forms new rather in the combination of definite characters than in the

production of intensified ones.

It was pointed out that, whether dealing with hybrids or pure natural

varieties, it is desirable to propagate seed for commercial purposes from.

single grains or ears, as this method results in seed possessing a mini

mum amount of variation in any direction

SECTION H.?ANTHROPOLOGY.

SOME REMARKS ON THE IRISH HORSE AND ITS EARLY HISTORY.

BY R. F. SCHARFF, PH.D., F.I,.S.

That the modern Connemara pony possesses certain features of re

semblance to Arab horses is well known, and has been recently

emphasised by Professor Ewart in his description of the various Irish

breeds of ponies. This character is current!}' believed to be due to a

comparatively recent introduction into Ireland of Eastern stock.

Professor Ridgeway not only puts the date of this introduction further

back, to pre-Christian times, he contends that these supposed Eastern

horses were imported from France, and were originally of Libyan

origin.

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