(31) 



•concerned, one description serves for all, as the mode of cul- 

 ture is the same, and the only difference is in the botanic 

 <jharacteristics. 



The first millet cultivated in this State was the kind com- 

 monly called Tennessee millet. In a few years the Hun- 

 garian grass, or millet, became popular. It does not yield 

 so much hay, but it is eaten with more avidity by stock. 

 The Missouri, which is only a modification of the Tennessee, 

 next became the favorite, and then the German millet came 

 and superseded all others. The manner of its introduction 

 was in this wise : 



Two Germans came to Tennessee in 1861. One of them 

 brought a little sack of millet seed, about a quart, which 

 he kept in his trunk during the war. At the close of the 

 war he took it out one day and handing it to a merchant on 

 Market street asked him to give it to some good farmer for 

 planting. The merchant gave it to Mr. James Allen, of 

 Williamson county, one of the best millet seed planters in 

 the State. The crop was the admiration of the whole coun- 

 try, and he gave a half bushel to Dr. W. M. Clark. He 

 planted the entire amount and wrote concerning it so that 

 the seed sold for from three and a half to five dollars a 

 bushel. It has taken precedence of all other varieties. 



Last year the Department at Washington sent out a new 

 variety called " pearl millet." It has proved, however, to 

 be a variety that has been planted for many years in the 

 extreme Southern States and is of but little value unless cut 

 as a green forage. It grows rapidly and is eaten with relish 

 by stock. But if allowed to attain full growth, or produce 

 seed, it cannot be eaten, as it becomes woody. It may be 

 cut every six weeks through the season, or when it gets 

 high enough to be reached by a mowing blade. 



We will now give its cultivation in general and its use, 

 which embraces every variety as well as one. 



At one period, it was deemed sufficient food for any stock, 

 without the aid of anything else. The fodder was hay and 



