194 FORAGE CROPS. 



The prairies of the Mississippi basin and its tribu- 

 taries have marked adaptation for the growth of 

 millet, and this adaptation would seem to be the 

 most complete in loose soils not very well adapted 

 to the growth of hay and some other grasses. 



Place in the Rotation. — Owing to the lateness 

 of the season at which millet is sown, it is frequently 

 grown as a "catch" crop, that is to say, as a crop 

 where that which previously occupied the land has 

 failed, or between two crops. It may thus be made 

 to come after winter wheat which has suffered so 

 much from the severity of the winter weather that 

 it is not worth while leaving it. It may come after 

 spring grain that has succumbed to such adverse 

 influences as frost, too much or too little moisture 

 or to the ravages of insect pests. And with much 

 appropriateness it may come after clover that has 

 been winterkilled, for then nitrogen, its favorite 

 food, is plentiful in the soil. But there is no place, 

 probably, where millet can be grown with more 

 appropriateness for pasture than when it is sown on 

 the bare fallow. 



It is possessed of peculiar adaptation for being 

 thus grown on the loose soils of western prairies, 

 since these are usually improved rather than injured 

 by being trodden upon by live stock. When thus 

 grown it interferes with the growth of no other 

 crop. It may be eaten off at any stage of growth 

 desired, and without injury to the fallow in any 

 instance where a due regard is had to the conditions 

 while it is being grazed down. 



Millet may be followed by any crop that it is 

 desirable to grow, but since it greedily preys upon 

 the fertility of the soil and absorbs much moisture 



