96 THE GRASSES— REED CANARY GRASS. 



MUlet. 



{Panicum miliacevm.) ' 



The Brown and Yellow Millet of Southern Europe 

 and the Cheena of the Hindus. 



Dr. Vasey says it has been cultivated in the United 

 States to a limited extent for forage, and will thrive 

 and ripen in the Northern as well as the Southern 

 States. 



Charles L. Flint (another American authority) says : 

 " Millet is one of the best crops we have for cutting and 

 feeding green for soiling purposes, since its yield is 

 large, its luxuriant leaves juicy and tender, and much 

 relished by milch cows and other stock. For feeding 

 to cattle it should be cut in the blossom, as, if allowed 

 to ripen its seed, the stalk is no more nutritious than, 

 probably, oat straw." 



Reed Canary Grass. 



(Phalaris arundinacea.) 



Flowers second week of July, and ripens its seed 

 about middle of August. Flower stems vary in height 

 from 2 to 5 feet. 



Chaeles Johnson reports that it creeps widely at 

 the root, but, unlike many grasses of similar habit, tends 

 to form dense tufts, which contribute greatly to the con- 

 solidation and support of the banks on which it grows. 

 It is one of nature's pioneers ; and, though exceedingly 

 valuable in habitats of its own selection, is of small 

 economical importance elsewhere. The herbage is too 

 coarse and rigid to be liked by cattle generally. 



