1 66 NATURE STUDY. 



throughout the islands the native population had been 

 nearly exterminated by the oppression and cruelty of the 

 Spaniards and it was impossible for the planters to carry 

 on a profitable business for lack of hands to do the work. 

 So the practice of importing slaves from Africa was begun 

 and favored in every way, and negro slavery was firmly 

 established on the American continent, even in the most 

 enlightened sections. Histor}' records the consequences, 

 and the end is not yet. 



Among the grasses called millet have been included 

 many and diverse kinds. The Indian or Turkish millet, 

 Sorghum, is one of the most important of these. In some 

 parts of the world it takes the place of oats and barley, be- 

 ing nearly as prolific as maize (Indian corn). It some- 

 times grows to the height of twelve feet. The grain, 

 though abundant, is of inferior quality. One species, the 

 so called Chinese sugar cane, has been introduced into our 

 western states and has been extensively cultivated. It was 

 at one time expected to become a rival of the sugar cane. 

 Unfortunately the juice derives its sweetness mostly from 

 gluv:ose, so that the product is far less valuable than that 

 obtained from the true cane. Ivarge quantities of molasses 

 of an inferior quality are made from the expressed and 

 concentrated juice. 



The true millet is a member of the genus Panicum, the 

 largest genus in the family. Probably the most ancient 

 millet was P. miliaceuni, a rather large but handsome 

 species, occasionally cultivated hereabouts, but oftenest 

 found as an escape by the roadside or on dumps. The 

 grain is large and is supposed to have been one of the ear- 

 liest used in bread making. It was cultivated in south- 

 ern Europe more than two thousand years ago, having 

 been brought thither from India, where it had been in use 

 for unknown ages before. 



With the mention of the cereals for bread, the forage 



