CHAPTER IX. 



MILLET. 



Millet in all its species and varieties may 

 be made to furnish food for live stock in the 

 form of grain or seed, fodder, soiling food or 

 pasture. More commonly, however, it is grown 

 to provide fodder. For this purpose it is most 

 excellent, especially in the smaller and finer 

 growing varieties. But to furnish fodder at its 

 best, it should be cut as soon as fully headed 

 out, or very soon after reaching that stage, and it 

 must be cured with care. Under favorable condi- 

 tions, in some of its varieties, it produces enormous 

 yields. Of the small varieties, however, the average 

 yield may be placed at one to two tons per acre. If 

 the seeds are allowed to mature or to approach 

 maturity, the fodder rapidly becomes woody, hence 

 its value for food is much impaired. When fed in a 

 ripe condition, there is some hazard in feeding it 

 indiscriminately to certain kinds of live stock, but 

 this would not seem to hold true of millet hay cut 

 at the stage indicated. It furnishes excellent soil- 

 ing food and at a season when it is much needed. 



Heretofore, millet has not been much grown 

 to provide pasture, but in this respect also it has a 

 mission. On the bare fallow of the prairies it may 

 be grown as a pasture with much success. In addi- 

 tion to the food furnished, the land will be benefited 

 by the treading of animals while pasturing upon it. 



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