338 CEREALS. 



It is often planted in the missing places of corn, and it 

 does far better than a replant of corn, as one stalk will 

 throw out numerous suckers, making several large heads 

 and ripening with the corn. Drought has but little effect 

 in retarding its growth. It retains its dark green color 

 and luxuriant foliage when other plants are shrivelled up 

 by the heat. 



In the south it is sown thickly in drills, and cut for soil- 

 ing stock, and if not allowed to flower, it will bear cutting 

 until frost comes. Many sow it broadcast for hay. Pre- 

 pare the ground well and sow one bushel of seed to the 

 acre, harrowing it in. It makes an enormous yield of hay, 

 but, from the succulent character of the stalks, it is difficult 

 to cure, unless a good "spell " can be caught. However, if 

 the farmer has a drove of mules or steers to fatten, he can 

 cut a load or two at a time, throwing it into a rack, which 

 can be replenished as required, and the hay will remain 

 green on the ground until frost, so that there is no danger 

 of its being lost by becoming too ripe. 



In Germany the seeds are deprived of the chaff, and 

 used as rice, and sells for the same price. In Asia and 

 Africa it is made into a meal and eaten, either in gruel, 

 cakes or bread. It can be sown at any time from the first 

 of April, (a light frost not injuring it,) until the first of 

 July. 



If fed on the ground the stalks will remain in the way of 

 the planter for a year at least, but if plowed under in the 

 fall, like broom corn, they will rot by spring, and if lime 

 is sown on them before plowing under, it will greatly ex- 

 pedite the process, and the soil will improve every year. 



Taking into consideration the fact, that it will yield more 

 seed, fodder and stalks on a greater variety of soils, with 

 less labor, in any kind of season, and return more litter to 

 the land than any other cereal, and being a good food 

 for man and beast, it may be jusfly considered one of the 

 most valuable of the cereals. And with these facts it is 

 most surprising that it is raised to the small extent it is. 



