492 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



Fearl millet. 

 A. P. Hallock, Le Eoy, Medina Comity, Oliio, -writes : 



The Pearl niillet did not prove satisfactory witli me. This was partially due, how- 

 ever, to the extremely unfavorable season, as the seed did not germinate for nearly or 

 quite a month after planting, and then the plants made so slow a growth that only 

 one crop was harvested, and that late in September. No shoots were sent out after 

 cutting. The soil was a sandy loam with clay subsoil. Method of planting, in drills 

 3| feet apart aud plants 1 foot apart in the row. Cultivation same as corn in same 

 field received. Land not very rich, but kept entirely free fi'om weeds. I raised 3 acres 

 of com fodder in same field with better results as to yield, and stock eat it much more 

 readily than the millet. It seems to be somewhat coarse and woody, Avhich may be 

 due to its unusually slow growth aud maturing. I am inclined to think, however, 

 that com fodder, of the sweet variety, if properly grown and cultivated, is superior 

 as a forage jilant for our soil and climate. 



W. F. Morrows, Somerset, Hillsdale County, Micliigan, writes sub- 

 stantially as above. 

 John Wbitely, Shirley Village, Mass., writes, March 6, 1880 : 



The seed was sown May 22 in drills 20 inches apart, and thinned out to 12 inches 

 between the plants soon after they started. The plants gTew rapidly at first, but the 

 cold weather of June checked their growth. About the 1st of July they took a start 

 and grew vigorously till September 21, when we had a smart frost. 



The seed was sown at the rate of 4 pou.nds to the acre ; one pound is enough. 

 Commenced to thin again and feed about the 1st of August, when the product would 

 have been about .35 tons to the acre in the green state. It was in the best condition 

 to feed at this stage, though the yield would have been 46 tons per acre at a later 

 period, and much more if the weather had been favorable. The ground is a sandy 

 loam, and was highly manured with superphosphate, muriate of potash, and pulver- 

 ized cow-hoofa. 



Nothing is raised in these parts that cattle will eat with greater relish while it is 

 green and tender. Our experiment was not sufficiently thorough, perhaps, to enable 

 us to form a very aecui-ato conclusion as to its nutritive qualities. If to be cut for 

 hay, it is best when two-thirds grown. 



C. G. Waller, Greenwood, Abbeville County, South Carolina, writes: 

 "The Pearl millet is a success. The very thing we need." 

 Samuel Gross, Landisville, Atlantic County, New Jersey, says: 



The millet seed was sown about the IStli of May in rows 3 feet apart, and the plants 

 2 feet in the row. The i)lants did not make much headway until the second hoeing. 

 After that they grew very rapidly. When about 3 feet high I commenced feeding to 

 horses and cows. Both seemed to relish it better than corn-fodder. The second 

 growth was cut when about 6 feet high. After drying a short time it was tied in 

 small buudlea and shocked. I am now (February 2) feeding it to horses and cows, 

 after running it through a fodder-cutter. On the whole I think it is a success, and 

 will continue to cultivate it. It has been said that the seed would not mature in this 

 latitude, but a part of a row left rewarded me with fully ripened seed. I would 

 fiu'ther say tliat the land was only moderately fertilized, my intention being to treat 

 the millet in my first experiment about as I do corn, and to compare notes. 



A. G. Hill, Halfrock, Mercer County, Missouri : 



It proves to bean excellent fodder for all kinds of stocl;; It is a good pasture fol 

 hces when in bloom. They can gather bread from it fasterb Aau from any other plant. 

 I cultivated once with the hoo. Seed ripened October 15. Heads 12 to 16 inches long. 



H. Caswell, Igo, Shasta County, California : 



Sowed May 29, in drills 18 inches apart, in clay soil. The ground was new and not 

 manured. I cut, on September 15, at the rate of 31 tons, 972 pounds of green fodder 

 per acre. I think it was cut too late, as it did not sprout again. It would be a great 

 feed for hees, as they worked on it in groat numbers. Horses and cattle seem very fond 

 of it. It will not mature here without irrigation, which will bo a drawback to its 

 coming into general use. 



Alfalfa. 

 JVIr. T. F. Meece, Livingston, Polk County, Texas, writes. May 4, 1880 : 



I sowed alfalfa in August last, or September, with turnips and black winter oats, 

 all in drills. The ground was previously well prepared and highly manured. Pro- 



