186 ANALY8KS OF MILLET 



The straw, especially that which is thoroughly ripened, is larger, coarser and harsher than 

 any of the grasses used for fodder. It is also quite siliceous, its ash being composed of 

 more than one half of silica. 



ANALYSIS OF THE GRAIN FOR THE PROXIMATE ELEMENTS. 



100 grs. of the comparatively pure flour gave 



Starch 34-840 



Albumen 8-225 



Casein -.--.... 4-765 



Dextrine 4-080 



Gluten and oil 6-240 



Insoluble matter in water or alcohol, in part fibre 20 ' 230 



Sugar and extract 10-200 



Water 11-061 



The oil, though not accurately determined, exists in about 2 per centum. 



The analysis for the proximate elements shows that millet is one of the most nutritive 

 grains we have. The albumen and casein exist in three times the amount they are found 

 in the oat ; the gluten in about the same, and oil a little less. 



Whether the nutritive elements in these large proportions will recommend this grain to 

 a more favorable notice of the agriculturists of New-York, is a question of some importance. 

 For feeding stock, when ground, it can scarcely be doubted that it must be more valuable 

 than maize, especially for working oxen, or for horses. In addition to the nitrogenous 

 substances, it is certainly not deficient in respiratory nor in bone-forming elements, as 

 phosphoric acid, and lime and magnesia. So in whatever light its composition is regarded, 

 it can not be otherwise than favorable. It is, however, necessary when it is designed for 

 cattle, that it be ground, or made into meal. When it is fed to hogs or canary birds, it 

 may be given whole, or without grinding. Still for the former it must be better when the 

 seeds are crushed, as they are invested with a siliceous cuticle, quite as unfit for digestion 

 as the chaff of other grains. 



In order to compare the exhausting power of millet upon the soil, with other grains, it 

 may be stated in this place, that with a yield of 70 bushels to the acre, each weighing 

 64 lbs., there will be removed. 



In Silica 62-451 lbs. 



Phosphates ...»»». 47-310 

 Potash and soda 19.813 



The lime and magnesia is in combination with phosphoric acid ; and after the precipitation 

 of the phosphates by ammonia, the filtrate remains nearly undisturbed by the addition of 

 oxalate of ammonia, or phosphate of soda and ammonia. The phosphates, however, 

 unlike those of wheat and indian corn, are tribasic. 



