CULTURE OF MILLET 269 



336. Broomcorn Millet. Broomcorn or hog millet, 

 sometimes known as proso, has been grown in the United 

 States only in recent years, having been introduced by immi- 

 grants from Russia. The plant grows from 1 to 2 feet high, 

 with numerous broad, hairy leaves and stiff, hollow stems. 

 The heads are usually loose, open panicles resembling small 

 heads of broomcorn, though in some varieties the branches 

 of the panicle are much shorter, making a close head of 

 the "lump" type. The cultivation of this crop is quite 

 closely confined to the drier regions of the Northwest, North 

 and South Dakota producing most of the broomcorn millet 

 grown in the United States. The chief value of the crop 

 lies in its ability to resist drouth and to mature in a short 

 season, the grain ripening in from 60 to 75 days from the 

 time of seeding. 



The method of growing these millets is not different from 

 that employed in the cultivation of other small grains. They 

 are usually sown about June 1, and are ready to harvest in 

 August. The proper rate of seeding is from 2 to 3 pecks to 

 the acre. The crop is cut with the mower when the seed is 

 in the hard dough stage, and is handled like hay. When 

 the growth is tall enough, the grain binder may be used. 

 The grain may be thrashed with the ordinary thrashing 

 machinery. It makes a good feed to mix with other grains 

 for cattle, sheep, and hogs, and is also excellent for poultry. 

 Hay made from this class of millet is much less valuable than 

 that from the foxtail type, because the stems are coarse and 

 the leaves and stems are covered with coarse hairs, so that 

 it is not relished by stock. 



337. Varieties. The varieties of broomcorn millet are 

 usually known by the shape of the head, the color of the 

 seed, or the locality from which they originally came. 



