1902.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



to remain on the ground, a healthy growth soon takes place. 

 Such observations as we have been able to make here in- 

 dicate that this practice is beneficial. 



In the spring of the past year it was found that most of 

 the plants had been lifted from one to two inches by the 

 frosts of winter and spring. Nearly all of them, however, 

 appeared to be alive, and they soon started fairly well, 

 though the growth did not present a good color. On April 

 13, fertilizers in the usual amounts were applied broadcast. 

 On April 16, the field was harrowed lightly with a smooth- 

 ing harrow. The crop was cut three times, as follows : — 



June 20, just coming into bloom, 2 to 2% feet in height, 

 the lower leaves beginning to show spots, and turning 

 yellow. Yield, green, 910 pounds. 



July 22, in bloom, showing a little blight. Weight, 

 green, 465 pounds. 



September 6, beginning to blossom, slightly affected by 

 blight. Weight, green, 440 pounds. 



The area of the plot is about two-fifteenths of an acre. 

 The total green weight is 1,815 pounds, which is at the 

 rate of 13,610 pounds per acre. The crop has been once 

 hand-hoed during the past season. The yield of rather less 

 than 7 tons to the acre is much less than could have been 

 obtained from clover, at far lower cost for labor. 



In conclusion, these results are presented not as con- 

 clusive, but rather to indicate the need of caution on the 

 part of our farmers in the direction of experiments with 

 this crop. True, it is the most valuable forage crop known 

 in the United States in many sections ; but it cannot be 

 regarded as by any means certain that it can be made to 

 succeed on the average soils of this State. If successful 

 anywhere, it seems likely to be on deep, mellow soils, of 

 alluvial or drift formation, and where the water table is 

 well below the surface. 



XV. — An Old Crop under New Names. 



Pearl millet has been advertised by seedsmen for many 



years, and has been occasionally grown by some of our 



farmers. Within the past two or three years seedsmen in 



different parts of the country have advertised what, as a 



