154 NIGERIANORTHERN PROVINCES 



BULRUSH MILLET. This plant, which is supposed to 

 be of African origin and is usually called millet in West 

 Africa, belongs to that group of grasses of which the 

 seeding head is in a compact form and in appearance 

 resembles the head of a bulrush, from which the common 

 name applied to it has been derived. The botanical 

 name is Pennisetum typhoideum, and the plant is known 

 in the country as " Gero " or " Giro " (Haussa), and in 

 India as " Bajra." At least two varieties, a smooth and 

 an awned form, are grown as three-months' crops, and 

 are sown either alone or as described before with Guinea 

 corn. It is usual to plant millet seed before the 

 Guinea corn, generally about the middle of April, or as 

 soon as the first showers are experienced. The crop is 

 then ready for picking in June and July. If the rain- 

 fall by this time has been deficient to such an extent 

 that the Guinea-corn crop promises to prove a failure, 

 a second crop of millet is often put in, and, as very 

 much less rain is required for this crop than is neces- 

 sary for Guinea corn, the severe effects of a short 

 rainfall are minimised. The grain yielded by Pennisetum 

 typhoideum would be classed commercially as a millet, 

 and a sample from Nigeria examined at the Imperial 

 Institute was valued at 22s. per quarter of 480 Ib. 

 (July 1908). 



In addition to the two varieties mentioned which are 

 employed as three-months' crops, there is another kind 

 with a smooth greyish-white large grain which is called 

 " Maiwa " or " Dauro," and is cultivated in the same 

 manner as Guinea corn ; occupying the land for from 

 five to six months. The pagan Gwaris to the south of 

 Zaria grow this in large quantities, but it is uncommon 

 north of Zaria. 



These grains are easily stored, and keep in good con- 

 dition for a long time. Flour is made from the grain 

 by grinding, and both the grain and leaves are used for 

 cattle food. 



From the malted grain of millet, and sometimes of 

 Guinea corn, an intoxicating beverage is made which is 

 known as " Gir " (Haussa). 



A fine grass seed called " Acha " (Digitaria ternata) 

 is grown in the fields with millet, and attains a height of 

 about two and a half feet. It is used for making a sort 



