IS 



But, revenons a nos moutons — let us return to our Grass Seeds. 



In some regions, where our common cultivated grains do not succeed 

 well — either from the character of the climate, or of the inhabitants — 

 other grasses are employed as substitutes. The seeds of a tall aquatic 

 grass (Glyceria Jiuitans, Br.), — which grows spontaneously here, as 

 well as in the old world, — are used, in the north of Europe, as an article 

 of food, under the name of Manna seeds, or Manne de Prusse. In soma 

 parts of Asia, Africa, and the south of Europe, food is prepared from the 

 seeds of the several Grasses which comprise the different kinds of Miilet j 

 — and a few others* : But they are all inferior in value to the poorest of 

 our Cerealits, or cultivated grairs. The plant called " Millet ", in this 

 region (Setaria Germanica? Beauv.), is valued chiefly for its hirbage; 

 and even that does not seem to command the attention of many farmers. 

 The true Millet — unknown in our Agriculture — is believed to be asDe- 

 cies of Panicum ( P. miliaceum, L.) ; but there are other kinds, nearly 

 allied to our Broom Corn, known by the names of Indian Millet (Sor- 

 ghum vulgare, Pers.) — Guinea Corn ( Sorghum cernuum, Willd. ) 

 Chocolate Corn {Sorghum bicolor, Willd.) — &c. These have been cul- 

 tivated here, occasionally ; but rather as articles of curiosity, than of agri" 

 cultural importance. Our common Broom Corn (Sorghum saccharatum 

 Pers.) is cultivated, here, exclusively for the uses indicated by its popular 

 name, — as already noticed; though the stem contains much saccharine 

 juice, — and it is sometimes raised, in Italy, for the purpose of making Sugar. 

 The least valuable, perhaps, of our Cerealim. — or those Grasses which 

 are cultivated, here, for the sake of the Seeds — is the common Oats (A- 

 vena sativa, L.). This grain is lighter and less perfect, with us, than it is 

 in the North of Europe, — and is almost entirely appropriated, here, to 

 the feeding of domestic animals ; but in less favored climes — as already 

 remarked — it contributes largely, and directly, to the sustenance of Man. 

 One of the many sarcasms upon the Scotch, in which the great English 

 Lexicographer delighted to indulge, was his definition of Oats, as the food 

 of Horses in England, and of Men in Scotland ; — as if the effects of 

 climate were a fit subject on which to taunt a People! The better quali- 

 ty of this grain is sometimes malted, when the demand warrants, or re- 

 wards the labor ; and a small portion is manufactured into meal, as an ar- 

 ticle of diet for the sick: but both these operations are very limited, in our 

 country. 



*The seeds of the following Grasses, also, are more or less employed, 

 in the ol I world, as substitutes for the grains known to us : viz. Triticum 

 Spei/ta, L. (which has been sometimes cultivated by the Germans, in this 

 Slate, under the name of Stelt) — T. Folonicum, L. Panicum fkumem- 

 saceum, Roib. Eleusine cohacana, GjERTN.and E. btricta, Koxb. 



