140 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



348. As an article of food the Common Millet (a,) is very 

 similar to rice. It does not appear to have been perfectly 

 analysed ; but the following are given as the inorganic con 

 stituents of the grain grown at Giessen, Germany. (Rolic/i.) 

 Potash, - .... 9.58 



Soda, - - -1.31 



Magnesia, ...... 7.66 



Lime, ... . 086 



Pk.jsphoric acid, - - 18.19 



Sulphutic acid, - -035 



Silica, - - . 59.G3 



Peroxide of iron, ..... O.G3 



Chloride of sodium, ... - 1.43 



349. The soil required for this crop is dry, rich, and -well 

 pulverized, sandy, rather than clay. It should be deeply plowed, 

 and well harrowed. If sown broadcast, half a bushel of seed is 

 the proper quantity, but on rich ground a peck may prove suffi 

 cient. If drilled, 8 quarts of seed are enough. If intended as 

 a fodder crop, more seed should be used, it being regulated in 

 proportion to the richness and condition of the soil. It will do 

 well on land that is too light for grass. The time for sowing 

 in Michigan is from the 1st of May to the 1st of July, or even 

 later if intended for soiling; June is the usual month in New 

 York. After sowing, the field should be rolled. When in 

 tended for a grain crop, it must not be allowed to become 

 entirely ripe, or much will be lost by shelling. It may bo 

 cradled and bound, or cut with a scythe and raked into bundles. 

 In New York, as much as 2| tons of fodder, and 32 bushels 

 of seeds have been raised to the acre. As high as 60 to 80 

 bushels of seed per acre are said to have been produced. (Allen.) 

 The usual crops are from 1 to 2 tons of straw, and 20 to 30 

 bushels of seed. 



350. In the United States, Millet seed is never used for 

 human food; but when ground into meal it is excellent for 

 fattening animals. The chief use of Millet is to Uke the placo 



