14 



BULLETIN 58, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



PROPAGATION. 



Wild millet is easily cultivated and reseeds itself. It requires a 

 moist and preferably a rich soil, such as the edge of a marsh or lake, 

 and it will grow in water at least a foot in depth. Break up the 

 soil (mainly for the purpose of discouraging other plant growth) and 

 sow thickly in spring. Once established, the plant will take care of 

 itself. The nearer to water it is planted the more available it will be 

 for duck food. It is a splendid plant to use for low lands that are 

 flooded in winter. 



The seeds are sold by most seedsmen under the name barnyard 

 grass. A variety has been widely advertised as Japanese barnyard 



FIG. 12. Fruiting heads of wild millet. (One-third natural size.) 



millet or billion-dollar grass. The plant is also known as cockspur 

 grass and sour grass. It may be cultivated in any part of the United 

 States having the proper soil conditions. 



BANANA WATER LILY. 



VALUE AS DUCK FOOD. 



The writer has investigated the value of the banana water lily 

 (NympJisea mexicana) as a food for wild ducks in only one locality 

 Lake Surprise, Tex. The proofs of its importance are so great, how- 

 ever, that they should be brought to the attention of American 

 sportsmen. At Lake Surprise the banana water lily alone made up 



