55 



Since 1896 thirty-one packages of different forms and varieties of 

 foxtail millets have been distributed bj^ this division, and 12 satisfac- 

 toiT n^ports have been received. 



The folloAving- report from Mr. C. E. Kittinger, of Powell, S. Dak., 

 is of much interest to the farmers of that region: 



Next to the grasses were sown the following kinds of millets: Japanese Foxtail 

 millet {Chxiocldoa italica), Japanese barnyard millet {Pavicum crus-galli) , Red 

 Japanese Broom-corn millet {Panicum miliaceum), Early Harvest, Golden Wonder, 

 Buckbee's California Beauty, Manitoba, common, and Hungarian millets. 



All of the Japanese millets grew tall and coarse, and were late in maturing, espe- 

 cially the first two varieties. The stalks grew nearly 4 feet high, as large as lead 

 pencils, and when ripe were about as woody. The heads were erect and very com- 

 pact. The red Japanese was the first one to ripen and the worst to shell out of the 

 three varieties. In growth it resembles broom-corn millet. Early harvest grew 

 much like common millet, and was the first of all to mature. Golden wonder grew 

 larger than any other variety, with coarse, woody stems. It was late in ripening 

 and lodged liadly before mature. It had a large amount of leaves on the stem, and 

 on poorer ground or with less rain might have made good hay if cut early. Buck- 

 bee's California beauty grew large and coarse, with long, drooping heads of large 

 seed, but was later than common millet. Manitoba millet grew much like broom- 

 corn millet and shelled badly. Hungarian grass is much like common millet, but 

 has a more leafy stem, and the seeds are brown instead of yellow\ Most of these 

 grew larger than common millet and were later in maturing. Under different con- 

 ditions, they would no doubt have been smaller, but taking all things into consiaer- 

 ation, none of the varieties tested promise greater usefulness than the common 

 millet. 



Millet is one of the best forage plants that can be grown in this section, but when 

 intended for hay ought to be cut before the seed is ripe. It is much harder to cure 

 than prairie hay, and it ought to lay in the windrows or bunches until thoroughly 

 dried, or it will heat and mold in the stack, while if left to thoroughly cure before 

 raking up it will bleach badly, and bleaching spoils its nutrition. Hay ought to be 

 cured without being exposed to direct sunshine, but that is not possible to do on a 

 large scale. Itcan be raked green and allowed to dry in the windrow, so that only a 

 small part of it will be exposed. The old adage, "Make hay while the sun shines," 

 should be revised to read, "Make hay while the wind blows." 



SEASIDE BLUE GRASS (Poa macrantlia.) 

 (Plate VIII, figs. 1 and 2, and Plate XIII, fig 2.) 



A smooth, stout grass 1 to 2 feet high, with strongly creeping root- 

 stocks, dense, erect panicles, and very large spikelets. It is found 

 growing abundantly on the sand dunes along the Pacitic coast, where 

 it is highly valued for its sand-binding qualities. At the grass station 

 at Walla Walla, Wash., it has given excellent results, showing but 

 little the effects of frost, and promises to be of great value for forage. 

 Experiments which have been carried on by sowing the seed on the 

 sands bordering the Great Lakes indicate that it may prove valuable 

 as a sand binder, not only along the seacoast, but also in the sandy 

 regions of the interior. 



Eighteen packages of seaside, blue-grass seed collected by special 



