186 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



This grass, though not usually considered of much agricultural value, forms an import 

 ant part of the native grass of the &quot;Western prairies, and, if cut early, makes a good and nutri 

 tious hay. In the Southern States there are two additional species, or varieties, which are 

 not materially different. These varieties are very common in Texas. 



Indian Millet, (Sorghum vulgare,) is a cultivated species, which has many varieties, one 

 of which is the broom-corn. It is sometimes used as a forage plant, and when raised on good 

 soil, and under favorable circumstances, is said to yield abundantly. It is called guinea-corn 

 in the West Indies, dourah in Arabia, and Nagara in the north of China. When raised on 

 good soil, it is said to yield a larger quantity of seed to the acre than any other cereal grass 

 known, its nutritive quality being nearly equal to that of wheat. 



Texas Millet (Panicum Texanum). The branches of the panicle of this variety are rough, 

 spikelets oblong, somewhat pointed, lower glume half or two-thirds the length of the upper; 

 sterile flower with two palets, the lower five to seven, curved, much like the upper glume, 

 and the upper palet thin and transparent. It is an annual grass growing from two to four 

 feet high, sparingly branched, at first erect and becoming widely branched ; margin of leaves 

 rough ; leaf blades from six to eight inches long and a half to an inch wide, the upper leaves 

 reaching nearly to the base of the panicle, which is from six to eight inches long. The leaves 

 are broad, and rather thin. It is a grass of vigorous, rapid growth, and is capable of yield 

 ing a large amount of food. Mr. Pryor Lea of Texas, who has cultivated it for several years, 

 says of it: 



&quot; 1 consider it far superior to any grass that I ever saw for hay. It is a much more 

 certain crop than millet, and cultivated with less labor, and all kinds of stock prefer it. I 

 expect to report a good second crop on the same ground this year. In this region this grass, 

 in the condition of well-cultivated hay, is regarded as more nutritious than any other grass. 

 It grows only in cultivated land; it prospers best in the warmest fourth of the year; its luxu 

 rious growth subdues other grasses and some weeds, with the result of leaving the ground in 

 an ameliorated condition.&quot; (See illustration, Page 140). 



Barnyard Grass, Cock s-Foot Grass (Panicum crusgalli).Tlais is an annual grass, 

 with thick, stout culms branching from the base two to four feet high. It varies greatly, 

 sometimes being awnless or nearly so, and sometimes with long awns, especially in some of 

 the coarser varieties. It is very common in all parts of the country in waste places. It is, 

 however, cultivated in many sections, especially in some of the Southern States. A writer 

 in Northern Mississippi states that the hay from this grass is very highly esteemed by many 

 farmers, and large fields of it are often mowed. It should, however, be cut early, while it is 

 most juicy and nutritious, which will be when the flowers first make their appearance. In 

 the latter stages of growth, or about the time of ripening its seed. The long and stiff awns of 

 its spikes tend to make it undesirable for stock food. 



Crab Grass (Panicum sanguinale). This is a native of Europe, but has become natu 

 ralized in all parts of the country. It springs up quickly in both cultivated and waste 

 grounds, and sends out roots from the lower joints, which take firm hold of the soil and 

 spread rapidly in all directions. In the Northern States it is very troublesome in corn-fields, 

 it being difficult to keep them clear of it. In the Southern States it is used for hay crops, 

 giving a large yield of hay of excellent quality if cut in proper time, which is before the 

 ripening of its seeds. It also furnishes very desirable pasturage during August and Septem 

 ber, when the spring grasses are old and dry. Prof. Killebrew of Tennessee says of it: 



&quot;It is a fine pasture grass, although it has but few base leaves and forms no sward, yet 

 it sends out numerous stems, branching freely at the base. It serves a most useful purpose 

 in stock husbandry, and the Northern farmers would congratulate themselves very much if 

 they had it to turn their cattle on while the clover fields and meadows are parched up with 



