MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



to Hunt's "The Forage and Fibre Crops of America." 

 They do not properly belong in my scheme of meadows 

 and pastures because being annual plants they can not 

 be used in any plan of permanent meadowland. 



Sowing Millets. I may say, however, that the millets 

 should not be sown till the earth is warm in the spring. 

 Often one will get best results from so\ving in June. 

 The millets revel in hot weather. 



Quantity of Seed to Sow. A bushel of millet seed 

 weighs from 48 to 50 pounds. From i to 4 pecks of seed 

 are sown to the acre, depending on the soil. With 

 good soil and a good seedbed a peck of seed will pro- 

 duce more forage than a heavier seeding. If grown for 

 the seed a peck to the acre is sufficiently heavy seeding. 

 Under favorable conditions 3 to 4 tons of hay or 20 to 

 80 bushels of seed per acre are secured. 



When to Cut Millet. The time to cut millet hay 

 is when in bloom and before the seed form. Millet 

 hay sometimes injuriously affects horses fed on it be- 

 cause of its effect on the kidneys. When cut early 

 enough and fed in moderation it seems a satisfactory 

 forage for most animals. Spillman calls attention to 

 the fact that it is somewhat richer in protein than is 

 timothy. Millet is a heavy feeder and by no means 

 enriches land on which it is grown. It is so rank in 

 its growth, and shades the land so well, that it smothers 

 out many weeds. It is said to destroy even Canada 

 thistles and quack grass, though such reports must be 

 taken with a grain of allowance. Doubtless it would 

 set these pests back not a little if a good stand were 

 obtained and it grew over them and shaded them. 



