190 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Hungarian Grass Or Hungarian Millet, (Panicum Germam cum), is an annual grass 

 cultivated as a forage plant, and is a variety of Setoria Germanica, the common millet. It 

 was introduced into France in 1815, where it has been considerably cultivated. It germinates 

 readily, has a quick luxuriant growth, and is remarkable in withstanding drought, remaining 

 green, even when other vegetation is parched and dry, while if its growth is arrested, in a 

 measure, by dry weather, the least rain will restore its vigor. It is much relished by horses 

 and cattle, as well as all other kinds of stock; when fed in too large quantities, it will act as a 

 diuretic, and hence, in such cases, injurious ; but if fed in moderate quantity is very nutritious 

 and harmless. It makes most excellent hay, of good weight, flourishing on light and dry soils, 

 though it attains its greatest luxuriance in soils of medium consistency, well manured, and may 

 be sown broadcast and cultivated precisely like 

 other varieties of millet. When blown down by 

 storms and violent winds, it readily recovers its 

 upright growth. A farmer recently mentions the 

 fact of his field having been blown down three 

 times in succession by storms, and each time it 

 recovered its upright position very readily. It 



has been known to attain the height of three and a half feet on rich soil. 

 This grass does well on the rich lands of the West, though it will exhaust 

 soil quicker than some other products. It is sown about the time of 

 planting corn, at from two to three pecks per acre, and should be cured 

 the same as Timothy grass. The editor of the Country Gentleman 

 expresses the following opinion relative to this grass 



&quot; Hungarian grass will grow on any soil of sufficient richness and 

 condition to raise good corn and potatoes, the richer the better, provided 

 the manure has been applied to previous crops. Sow when the ground 

 is warm and dry, or immediately after corn planting. If portions of 

 the field are sown with a few days interval between, it will not be ready 

 to cut all at once, which may prove a convenience in a large field. The 

 ground before sowing should be thoroughly pulverized by harrowing, and 

 made smooth and level, so that the small seed may not be buried too deep. 

 Three pecks broadcast are enough for an acre. Cahoon s sower is well 

 adapted to doing the work evenly. Cover the seed with a fine or smooth 

 ing harrow, and then roll the surface. In two months the heads will 

 appear, at which time, if intended for hay, it should be cut with a mowing 

 machine. Two or three days may be required for thorough curing, 

 including turning or shaking up before raking, and opening the cocks. 

 Good land, well managed, will give two or three tons of good hay per 

 acre. It is best as a fodder for cows. The crop is too dense in growth 

 to sow clover or grass seed with it. 



Common Millet. (Panicum MiHiaceum.) In growth and manner 

 of bearing seeds, the common millet resembles broom-corn. Its foliage 

 is broad and abundant; heads open; branching panicles. It grows to the 

 height of from two and a half to three and a half feet, according to the 

 nature of the soil, and makes excellent forage for cattle, though not equal 

 to the German, Golden, or the Peari millet. Allen states that from eighty to a hundred 

 bushels of seed per acre have been raised, with straw equivalent to one and a half or two 

 tons of hay, but an average crop may be estimated at about one-third this quantity. Birds 

 are usually troublesome in destroying the seed when ripened, as they are very fond of it, 

 consequently it is more profitable to cut it for the seed before all the heads have matured. It 



