108 FARM GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 
less time. Millet is considered a good crop to precede 
wheat, because it leaves a solidseed-bed. It is also one 
of the best crops for smothering weeds. Even Canada 
thistle can make little headway in a thrifty crop of mil- 
let. It is claimed by some that it will completely 
smother Canada thistle and quack-grass, but in order 
to do this the season must be very favorable to the 
millet crop and the soil must be put in fine condition. 
On account of the rank growth of millet the hay is 
somewhat more difficult to cure thantimothy. Fortu- 
nately it is not much injured by dew or rain, if allowed 
to dry properly before storing. No definite rules for 
curing the hay can be given, because the temperature 
and moisture content of the atmosphere have such a 
marked effect on the rate at which hay dries out in cur- 
ing. It should lie in the swath longer than timothy, 
and when put up in cocks it should remain consider- 
ably longer than lighter kinds of hay. The writer 
has seen millet hay heat almost to the point of combus- 
tion from being put in the mow too early, though when 
stored it appeared as dry as hay is ordinarily when 
ready to put in bulk. Experience alone can determine 
the proper degree of dryness to insure safety from heat- 
ing. On account of its solid stems it is heavier than 
other kinds of hay, volume for volume, and packs more 
solidly, thus causing it to shed rain better. It can, 
therefore, be left-in the field to cure without great 
danger. 
Millet is cut for hay at various stages. Some cut it 
just as the heads begin to appear ; others, when it is 
in bloom ; while -still others cut when the seed is ripe. 
The season at which millet should be cut depends on 
