108 FARM GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 



less time. Millet is considered a good crop to precede 

 wheat, because it leaves a solid seed-bed. It is also one 

 of the best crops for smothering weeds. Even Canada 

 thistle can make little headway in a thrifty crop of mil- 

 let. It is claimed by some that it will completely 

 smother Canada thistle and quack-grass, but in order 

 to do this the season must be very favorable to the 

 millet crop and the soil must be put in fine condition. 



On account of the rank growth of millet the hay is 

 somewhat more difficult to cure than timothy. Fortu- 

 nately it is not much injured by dew or rain, if allowed 

 to dry properly before storing. No definite rules for 

 curing the hay can be given, because the temperature 

 and moisture content of the atmosphere have such a 

 marked effecl: on the rate at which hay dries out in cur- 

 ing. It should lie in the swath longer than timothy, 

 and when put up in cocks it should remain consider- 

 ably longer than lighter kinds of hay. The writer 

 has seen millet hay heat almost to the point of combus- 

 tion from being put in the mow too early, though when 

 stored it appeared as dry as hay is ordinarily when 

 ready to put in bulk. Experience alone can determine 

 the proper degree of dryness to insure safety from heat- 

 ing. On account of its solid stems it is heavier than 

 other kinds of hay, volume for volume, and packs more 

 solidly, thus causing it to shed rain better. It can, 

 therefore, be left in the field to cure without great 

 danger. 



Millet is cut for hay at various stages. Some cut it 

 just as the heads begin to appear ; others, when it is 

 in bloom ; while still others cut when the seed is ripe. 

 The season at which millet should be cut depends on 



