324 FIELD CR0P8 



the acre; for hay, from 2 to 4 pecks are sown. The seed 

 weighs 50 pounds to the bushel. 



The crop is ready to cut for hay in from six to ten weeks 

 from seeding, depending on the variety, the season, and the 

 fertihty of the soil. The best hay can be obtained if the crop 

 is cut about the time the plants begin to bloom. If the seed 

 is allowed to form, there is some decrease in palatability, 

 and the hay may be actually injurious to horses. The hay 

 is slower in curing than timothy hay, for the growth is usually 

 rank and full of moisture. When grown for seed production, 

 the crop should be cut before it is fully ripe or there will be 

 some loss from shattering. It may be harvested with the 

 grain binder and shocked and threshed like other grain. 

 Twenty bushels of seed to the acre is a fair yield. 



428. Uses. The foxtail millets are largely grown as 

 emergency forage crops to supplement the usual hay and 

 pasture supply. The hay is useful for feeding to all kinds of 

 animals and is as palatable and nutritious as that made from 

 most of the other grasses. Best results may be obtained 

 when it does not make up the entire forage ration of the 

 animals, but is fed with clover, alfalfa, or other hay. It 

 should be fed with caution to horses; for, if fed in quantity, 

 it is hkely to cause serious disorders of the kidneys. Fox- 

 tail millet is also useful for soiling and pasture purposes, 

 'being available within a few weeks from seeding. The seed 

 is not generally used for feeding except to poultry, though, 

 where it is produced in quantity, good results have been 

 obtained from feeding it to hogs, cattle, and sheep. It is bet- 

 ter to grind the seed before feeding to hogs and cattle. 



OTHER MILLETS 



429. Broomcom Millet. This class of millet is usually 

 grown for the grain rather than for forage, as the stems 

 are stiff and hairy and the hay is not eaten readily by stock. 

 They have already been discussed (Section 322). 



