1 N -^ 



u 



808 



Milliuni effusum* Common Millet-grass. 



r 



Specific character: Flowers panicled^ dispersed, aw 



Obs, — Stems generally rising to three or four feet in height, with about four joints 7 



aves 



smooth, thin, and weak. Panicles from four inches to a foot in length • branche 1 

 Pedicels often in whirls, diverging by glands fixed in the axils, which has caused it h 



oji. 



Mr 



distinguished from the panics, to which it has the greatest natural affinity, by havin 

 calyx of two valves only. Engl. Bot. 1106; Curt. Lond. iy. 12, 248; Wither. Arr 

 Native of Britain. Root perennial. 



Experiments. — At the time of flowering, the produce from a light sandy soil, is. 



IS 



a 



dr. qr, 



31 



111 2 



Grass, 11 oz. 8 dr. The produce per acre 



80 dr. of grass weigh when dry 



The produce of the space, ditto 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 



64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 



The produce of the space, ditto 



oz. 



125235 



lbs. 



7827 3 



1 

 y 



48528 9 



3033 



4794 3 



1 3 



5 Ot', 



3424 10 



214 



Th 



common Millet, in its natural state, seems to be confined to woods as its place of growth. 

 It will thrive and grow, however, when transplanted to open exposed situations. It is remark- 

 able for the lightness of the produce in proportion to its bulk. The foliage comes pretty early 

 in the spring, but appears, from the above results, to be but little nutritive. Birds are remark- 

 ably fond of the seeds ; so much so, as to raise a doubt whether, for the sake of the seed only. 

 It could be cultivated to advantage on the farm. But in covers, where game is preserved, there 

 cannot be a better grass encouraged : it will save the corn fields. About the beginning of 

 August is the best season for sowing the seed. The surface of the ground, near the roots of the 

 bushes, should be lightly stirred, and the seeds scattered over it and raked in ; a few of the 

 decaying leaves that cover the ground, should be afterwards thrown over it. 



It flowers in the second week and latter end of June, and the seed is ripe in the middle of 

 July, and beginning of August. | 



^ 



: 1 





