638 



Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 



[Sept. 2, 1920. 



to produce a crop of millet than of maize ; on the other hand, the ill-effects 

 caused to maize by lack of moisture at tasselling time are less apparent with 

 a millet crop, since it is grown primarily for the fibre. 



Excessive moisture encourages blight, and has a detrimental effect on the 

 (juality and colour of the fibre, should rain fall on the " tabled " brush. 

 Unfortunately a large number of crops, especially those later sown, suffered 

 from both causes last season. 



Preparation of the Plot. 



For districts subject to dry spells through the spring and early summer 

 months, too much stress cannot be attached to the importance of adopting 

 thorough methods of preparation — methods that aim at the conservation of 

 moisture and the checking of weed growth. Sound methods allow of sowing 

 at the right time, and through the moisture being conserved, longer periods 

 of drought can be withstood than where less thorough methods are adopted. 



A section of a crop tabled. 

 Note the difficulty that would otherwise attach to harvesting the lieads of the standing crop. 



Deep ploughing in the autumn with occasional workings with the disc or 

 tine cultivator during the winter, and usually a shallower ploughing prior to 

 sowing, are neces.sary. Where broom millet is continuously sown, or for 

 that matter anywhere, a rotation, including a legume such as field peas 

 or cowpea.s, and also such other crops as turnij)s, pumpkins and cereals, 

 should be adopted. The plant is a gross feeder, and should not successively 

 be grown on the same portion of land. This fact is overlooked by the 

 majority of growers. 



Sowing Operations. 



Like other members of the sorghum family, broom millet is essentially a 

 summer crop. The time to sow is regulated hy weather conditions. Nothing 

 is to be gained by .sowing while the weather is cold or changeable ; it is 

 better deferred until warmer conditions set in. Mid-September is perhaps 



