The Millets 



633 



* In the case of synonyms the preferable name is given first, both in the common and botanical 

 names. 



Only the first four are of any importance in the United States, 

 The Texas millet, or Colorado grass, isi cultivated sparingly in 

 Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, and the ragi, or 

 finger millet, is of some importance in India and northern Africa; 

 but the others, Shama, Kutki, Koda, and Little millet, are grown 

 only as famine crops in India, and are not valued in other countries 

 where better crop plants are available. The sorghums are referred 

 to in India, Korea, and certain parts of China as " giant millet,'' 

 or '^ tall millet," but fortunately this practice has not spread to the 

 United States. 



The foxtail millets are the only ones that are of any importance 

 in New York, and it is only this group, therefore, that will be 

 discussed in detail. 



FOXTAIL MILLETS 



The foxtail millets are among the oldest of cultivated crops, 

 their cultivation being recorded in China as early as 2700 b. c. 

 They are supposed to be natives of ■southeastern Asia and to have 

 spread from there westward to Europe. In the United 'States 

 they are grown very largely as catch crops, and are suited to a wide 

 range of climates and soil. (Uig. Go'D.) The quality of hay pro- 

 duced is rather inferior, especially if allowed to become too ripe 

 before it is cut. It is both laxative and diuretic, especially in its 

 effect on horses, and when fed continuously frequently produces 



