(32) 



the seed was corn. But later investigations have demon- 

 strated the fact, that when hay ripens to seed, its usefulness as 

 a hay measurably ceases. Were stock fed exclusively on 

 seed- heads, with a sufficiency of good hay, they would 

 thrive exceedingly well, or if the millet is cut while in the 

 flower, or eyen when the seed is in the milky state, and fed 

 to stock in combination with grain, they would do well. 

 But even then, it is much inferior to oats, timothy, or Herd's 

 grass. Its special recommendation is, that it yields a larger 

 proportion of hay than other grasses. It requires a rich, 

 dry soil, and Avill stand almost any amount of droughts, 

 seeming to dry up during the heat, but when it rains it will 

 start off with renewed life, and do as well as ever. It 

 makes large quantities of seed per acre, the Hungarian 

 yielding 30 bushels; the Missouri 40; the Tennessee 50; 

 and the German from 60 to 80 bushels per acre. The Hun- 

 garian millet is a better hay than either of the others, but 

 its yield is much less. The Tennessee millet perhaps yields 

 more hay than either of the other three, but the Missouri 

 has more reputation as a feed for cattle. Should it be 

 wished, however, to sow for a money crop, it will be far 

 preferable to sow the German millet. The Hungarian has 

 a small head, a simple spike, while the others have com- 

 pound spikes, most notably the German. It is easily raised, 

 at less cost than corn, and makes, on good ground, nearly 

 double as many bushels as the latter per acre. For all 

 kinds of fowls it is unsurpassed, and it is a powerful stimu- 

 lant to laying eggs. 



To sow for hay, prepare the ground in a thorough man- 

 ner, pulverizing it completely, and when the ground is in a 

 sufficiently moist condition, in June, sow the seed, a bushel 

 to the acre. Never sow if the ground is too dry or too wet. 

 If too dry, the seed near the surface will parch in the rays 

 of the sun, and a stand will fail to appear. If too wet, the 

 usual injury to the land occurs and the crop "frenches" or 

 turns yellow and dwarfs. After sowing, harrow well and 



