GRASSES AND FORAGE-PLANTS. 119 



is thought to contain a somewhat higher percentage of nutriment 

 than the common millet, though I am not aware that it has been 

 analyzed. It is a leafy plant, and remains green until its seed ma- 

 tures, and is no doubt valuable for fodder, both green and dry, growing 

 and maturing in about the same time as common millet. From twenty- 

 five to thirty bushels of seed to the acre have been obtained. 



Common millet (Panicum miliaceum), flowers in large, open, 

 nodding panicles ; leaves lance-shaped, broad ; stem one to two feet 

 high ; native of Turkey. 



Many varieties of millet have at times been cultivated in this 

 country, and its culture is gaining favor every year. Millet is one 

 of the best crops we have for cutting and feeding green for soiling 

 purposes, since its yield is large, its luxuriant leaves juicy and tender, 

 and much relished by milch cows and other stock. Cut in the 

 blossom, as it should be for feeding to cattle, the seed is compara- 

 tively valueless. If allowed to ripen its seed, the stalk is no more 

 nutritious, probably, than oat-straw. 



Millet requires good soil, and is rather an exhausting crop, but 

 yields a produce valuable in proportion to the richness of the soil, 

 and care and expense of cultivation. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



PREMIUMS OFFERED BY H. R. STEVENS. 



I WILL give to the party who raises the greatest number of tons of 

 fodder-corn per acre, not less than one acre, from seed planted 

 called Blnnt's Prolific, one hundred dollars in cash ; to the party 

 who raises the next in quantity, fifty dollars in cash ; to the party 

 who raises the next in quantity, twenty-five dollars in cash, 

 making three premiums. First, one hundred dollars ; second, fifty 

 dollars ; third, twenty- five dollars. 



The kind of corn planted to compete for these premiums must be 

 " Blunt's Prolific." These premiums are offered to any or all 

 parties in the New England States. Mr. J. J. H. Gregory, the seed 

 man of the United States, says, " there is no better corn to plant for 

 fodder- corn than Blunt* s Prolific." Blank certificates, with conditions 

 to compete for the three premiums offered by me, will be furnished 

 upon application. Address, 



H, R, STEVENS, 



Boston, Mass 



