The Millets 051 



jet been developed. It is best suited to rich, moist soils and under 

 such conditions will produce enormous yields of forage. When 

 harvested as a soiling crop, cutting it from three to six times dur- 

 ing a season, yields of 10 to 40 tons an acre of green material are 

 reported. When cut and cured as a fodder or hay crop the yields 

 recorded are from 3 to 10 tons an acre. Such high yields can only 

 be obtained, of course, under the most favorable conditions of soil 

 and climate. 



The culture of pearl millet is very similar to that of corn or 

 sorghum. It is most commonly planted in rows 3 to 31/2 feet 

 apart ; when the crop is to be used for soiling purposes, the plants 

 are best spaced 3 to 6 inches apart in the row, but if it is to be 

 cut for hay or fodder, it is better to drill thickly in the rows. 

 Wlien planted thinly, it stools abundantly. The seed usually does 

 not germinate strongly, and 3 to 4 pounds an acre are required for 

 the thinner plantings, and G to 8 pounds an acre when drilled 

 thicklv in the row. 



In some cases pearl millet is drilled or broadcasted like the fox- 

 tail millets and harvested for hay with a mower and rake. For 

 such seedings 30 to 35 pounds of seed an acre are required ; which- 

 ever method of seeding is used, care must be observed not to plant 

 the seed too deeply. Unless the soil is very loose and sandy, one- 

 half inch is deep enough to cover the seed. The seed of pearl 

 millet weighs from 48 to 56 pounds a bushel, therefore the average 

 weight for each bushel runs about the same as for the other millets. 

 Good seed yields are not often obtained in this country because 

 for some reason a large percentage of the flowers prove sterile and 

 do not form seed. Birds are very fond of the seed, and it is almost 

 useless to attempt seed production in localities where the English 

 sparrow or the reed birds are numerous. 



In feeding value the stover of pearl millet has been found 

 inferior to that of the sorghums or corn, and analyses show the 

 mature plant to contain a high percentage of crude fibre, hence 

 it is probably less valuable for silage purposes also. 



There is little to recommend pearl millet to the New York 

 farmer because he has better soiling crops, and there is no other 

 capacity in which the pearl millet can compete with com, tim- 

 othy, foxtail millet, and other standard crops of the state. 



