[ 257 J 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



MARUA (EXEUSINE CORACANA). 



'T^HIS millet is more commonly grown in Bengal than 

 sorghum, though its yield is rather poor, the average 

 being about 8 maunds per -acre. In some parts of Madras 

 it produces over 2.000 Ibs. per acre in the red soils, with 

 irrigation. At the summit of each stem are 4 cruciform 

 digitate spikes full of grain. This grain is supposed never to 

 be attacked by insects and to keep for any length of time. 

 There is some advantage therefore in growing this grain for 

 storing it against years of famine whenever that may happen. 

 The straw is said to decrease the flow of milk. 4000 Ibs. of 

 straw per acre is obtained in some irrigated soils in the 

 Madras Presidency. 



344. Cultivation. - Immediately after wheat or some 

 other rabi crop is harvested, the land is prepared in the 

 same manner as it is prepared for Aus paddy. The seed 

 (7 to 10 Ibs. per acre) is sown broadcast, and a log of wood 

 or roller is passed over the land to cover the seed. When the 

 plants are 2" or 3" high, harrowing is done, and vacant spots 

 are filled in by plants taken out from those spots where they 

 are too thick. In the Punjab and in Mysore the seed is sown 

 in seed-beds and afterwards transplanted. This is a better 

 system. The harvesting is done in September i. e., about 

 3 months after sowing. It is a difficult crop to harvest as 

 the ears ripen very irregularly. The expense of cultivation 

 nearly always comes up to the value of the crop. The 

 proportion between the quantity of seed sown and the out- 

 turn of grain is about I : 40. The straw is more nutritious 

 than rice-straw though it is said to decrease the flow of milk. 

 The quantity of straw ordinarily obtained per acre is less than 

 GG 



