54 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



grown upon the unfertilized Plat No. 14 were of an un- 

 even height, had a somewhat yellowish tint of the foliage, 

 and showed, by the frequent appearance of heads in blos- 

 som, a premature termination of growth. 



The foliaceous character of this plant attracted our atten- 

 tion as deserving a trial in our climate. The plant is de- 

 scribed, by Mr. H. W, Ravenel, in the annual report of the 

 South Carolina Department of Agriculture for 1885, as a 

 native, or naturalized annual, summer-growing grass of that 

 State, needing cultivation for its best success. " The num- 

 ber of names (Egyptian, or Cat Tail, or Candle, or Pearl 

 Millet) by which this old favorite is known, proves its popu- 

 larity. ' A tall, erect, thick-stemmed grass. It grows to 

 the height of six feet or more, and the stalk is terminated 

 by a compact, dense, cylindrical spike resembling a com- 

 mon cat tail, frequently a foot or more in length, and an 

 inch thick, which is studded Avith the small obovate sessile 

 grains, surrounded at the base by an abundance of short, 

 coarse hairs or bristles.' On rich lands it yields enormously. 

 It repays more than most plants for high manuring and 

 good treatment. The growth is rapid, and frequent cuttings 

 may be made in the course of the season, if always done 

 bffbre the jointed stalk begins to run upward to form seeds. 

 It is not well suited for hay, as the thick, succulent stalk is 

 difficult to cure properly." 



Our experience confirms these statements. The fertilized 

 Plat No. 13 produced 1,870 lbs. of dried millet, or 18,700 

 lbs. (91 tons) per acre; and the unfertilized Plat No. 14 

 (for three succeeding years without manure) produced 1,050 

 lbs. of the air-dried crop, or 10,500 lbs. (5| tons) for a cor- 

 responding area. 



The subsequent analyses show the composition of the pro- 

 ducts of both Plats Nos. 13 and 14 in an advanced state 

 of growth ; too far advanced to be relished by our cows as 

 dry fodder, yet well fitted for an acceptable ensilaged 

 fodder. 



