MILLETS AND OTHER ANNUAL GRASSES 301 



367. Penicillaria (Pennisetum glaucum). Penicillaria, 

 Pencilaria or Cat-tail millet is most commonly known as 

 Pearl millet, and there are several synonyms of its scientific 

 name. It is probably native to Africa, where it is largely 

 cultivated by the natives, but it is most cultivated in India. 

 It was early brought to the West Indies from Africa. It is 

 a tall, erect annual, usually growing 5 to 8 feet high, but 

 in Florida attaining a height of 16 feet on rich soil. The 

 stems are not quite as stout as sorghum, but have shorter 

 nodes, more woody cortex and rather dry pith without 

 sugar content. The head is cylindrical, very dense, 4 to 

 14 inches long and bearing numerous round white ex- 

 posed grains. 



There are several varieties, eight or more having been 

 introduced by the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture. The common variety seems to be that grown 

 extensively in India, where it is known as bajri. In one 

 variety from South Africa, the heads are much shorter 

 and nearly as thick as long. 



Penicillaria is adapted to practically the same con- 

 ditions as the sorghums. The common American variety 

 will mature, seed as far north as Maryland and Nebraska, 

 but doubtless earlier-maturing sorts could be developed. 



It was formerly grown to a greater degree than at pres- 

 ent, both in the South and in the semi-arid regions, but 

 it has given way in competition with the sorghums. As 

 a forage it is not so desirable on account of the harder 

 pithy stems. As a cereal it has never had any standing 

 in America, as the yield in grain is meager and of poor 

 quality, 'and furthermore is subjected to much loss by 

 birds. 



As a soilage crop, penicillaria will in the South yield 

 very heavily and perhaps is exceeded by no other grass. 



