32 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



crop was very even, averaging seven feet in height. The 

 yield was at the rate per acre: straw, 11,297 pounds; and 

 seed, 66.7 bushels. 



For Green Fodder and the Silo. — Several pieces of an 

 acre or more each were sown for feeding green or for the 

 silo. The earliest, sown broadcast about the middle of May 

 on rich land, one peck of seed to the acre, averaged about 

 six feet in height and produced over 15 tons per acre. This 

 was cut from day to day, beginning before the millet had 

 blossomed. Another field of about an acre, sown the last 

 of June, yielded at the rate of rather over 18 tons per acre. 

 Another field, sown July 26, after a crop of hay was re- 

 moved, yielded about 12 tons per acre. The crop of the two 

 last fields was put into the silo. That cut from day to day 

 and fed green to cows was much relished. Its superiority 

 to well-eared flint corn fodder was very apparent. Cows 

 with both before them always take the millet first ; they con- 

 sume it without waste, while they are apt to leave a part of 

 the stalks of the corn as it approaches maturity. In alter- 

 nating this feed with corn fodder, the cows invariably in- 

 creased in milk when put upon the millet and fell off when 

 changed to corn. 



It has been ensiled with soja beans, — about two parts by 

 weight of the millet and one of the beans. This combination 

 makes very superior silage. 



For Hay. — A more extensive trial of this millet for hay 

 has been carried out this year than ever before. It is coarse 

 and difficult to dry. I have always felt that these qualities 

 would render it undesirable as a crop for hay. We have, 

 however, cured it successfully this year, mostly in small 

 cocks, as clover is often cured ; and the result is encourag- 

 ing. The hay is coarse, but is freely eaten by horses, being 

 preferred to a good sample of timothy, red top and clover 

 mixture. The yield of the millet is very large, having on 

 good land amounted to 6 tons per acre of well-cured hay. 

 It will produce a fair second cutting if sown early in May 

 and cut when in blossom. 



The soil best for this millet is one that is rather retentive 

 and rich. It stands up remarkably well, notwithstanding its 

 great height. From a peck to a half bushel of seed, accord- 



