220 BOTANy OF CROP PLANTS 



or reflexed. The spikelets • are ovate, green or purple, and 

 densely crowded in two to four rows on one side of the rachis. 

 Each spikelet has two flowers: a lower staminate, and an 

 upper perfect. Within the two empty glumes is the lemma 

 of the staminate flower; then follow the lemma and palet of 

 the perfect flower, both of which are hard and parchment-like 

 in texture. The lemma of the staminate flower is awned, 

 that of the perfect flower abruptly pointed. There are three 

 stamens, and two plumose stigmas. The kernel is firmly 

 surrounded by the hardened lemma and palet. 



Distribution. — Barnyard grass is a native of Europe. It 

 is now widely distributed as a weed in cultivated soil and in 

 waste places. 



ECmNOCHLOA FRUMENTACEA (Japanese Barnyard MiUet) 



In general characters, Japanese barnyard millet corre- 

 sponds very closely to common barnyard millet, except that in 

 the main, it has a more nearly erect habit, more turgid seeds, 

 is awnless, or has very short awns, and is brown or purplish in 

 color. It is known as Sanwa millet in India, and "billion- 

 dollar grass" in the United States. It probably originated 

 from common barnyard millet {E. crusgalli). 



Environmental Relations. — The millets require environ- 

 mental conditions similar to those favoring sorghums. They 

 are sensitive to cold, and hence must be planted after all 

 danger from frost is over. The water requirement of millets, 

 as a group, is less than that of sorghums. Hence they are 

 among our most drought-resistant crops, and on this account, 

 have been cultivated extensively on the Great Plains, from 

 Kansas to Dakota. 



Uses of Millets. — The millets are grown as a hay crop, for 

 pasturage purposes, and for the seeds, which are most 

 commonly fed to poultry. Millet is a quick-growing crop, 



