The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

BARREL

A barrel is a dry and liquid measurement that varies with substance. A barrel of beef or pork was equal to 200 lbs, a barrel of butter varied from 106 to 256 lbs, a barrel of flour from 196 to 228 lbs, a barrel of gunpowder was 100 lbs, a barrel of raisins was 112 lbs, a barrel of soft soap was 256 lbs, a barrel of candles in 1888 was equivalent to 120 lbs, a barrel of beer is two kilderkins or 36 gallons.
Research Barrel