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Fodder Value. 



Millet is one of the mosl nutritious and attractive of green fodders, and 

 it is available at a time when the spring grasses have failed, and gn 

 fodder- are 3carce. It is essentially a summer fodder. 



In point of digestibility the millets are similar, owing to their compo- 

 sition being approximately alike. From a variety of analyses we conclude 

 that this class of fodder, either in green food, hay, or ensilage, is very useful 

 for dairy cattle, sheep, and young stock. As pasturage it has been found 

 to be excellent food for sheep and cattle — it is remarkable the amount of 

 grazing a paddock of millet will stand providing- it is stocked judiciously. 

 Millets have no poisonous qualities, like sorghum, and may be fed when 

 quite young. It is best not to start feeding off until the crop has attained 

 a height of about 6 inches. After it has been well eaten down the stock 

 should be removed until another growth is made. With suitable weather 

 conditions this should be only a matter of days, as the growth is rapid. 

 Japanese millet is by far the best variety for feeding off. 



Effect upon Horses. 



Considerable mistrust as to the wisdom of feeding with millet was aroused 

 by the outbreak of an ailment known as millet sickness amongst horses in 

 North Dakota. This was found to arise where the animals were fed exclu- 

 sively on millet hay, but insufficient grounds were forthcoming to condemn 

 it as a food. The adoption of a rational system of feeding, in which millet 

 hay formed only a portion of a ration, soon dispelled the cause of complaint. 



On horses, when the fodder was cut too green, it acted as a laxative, and 

 when too ripe it over-stimulated the kidneys like a strong diuretic. It has 

 also been noted that if the crop is cut on the ripe side the seed awns become 

 harsh, and cause irritation. 



It is, however, claimed by prominent stock-raisers and veterinarians, that 

 a judicioxis diet, in which millet hay forms a chief ingredient, restores 

 healthy functions, and stimulates the vigorous maintenance of vital energy. 



