BARNYARD MILLET 79 
When used for soiling purposes, harvesting 
should begin when the plant is just beginning to 
show heads. At this stage, the plant is very suc- 
culent and is eagerly eaten by all farm stock. 
Inasmuch as it grows so rapidly, and because it 
develops and hardens so quickly in dry weather, 
it cannot be used for a long period for soiling pur- 
poses, from six to eight days being the range under 
ordinary seasonal conditions. Because proper at- 
tention is not given to this point, many farmers 
regard this kind of millet unfavorably. When cut 
at this stage of growth, Barnyard millet contains 
a relatively small percentage of crude fiber, 
although it is much richer in the non-nitrogenous 
substances than are oats, wheat or rye. It con- 
tains, on the average, about 15 per cent of dry 
matter. The large yields of green forage,—eight to 
twelve tons, or an average on good soils of about 
eight tons,—make the total amount of food very 
satisfactory; and animals will consume a relatively 
larger proportion of it than of certain other kinds. 
As high as seventy-five pounds per day have been 
fed with satisfaction. 
For hay, Barnyard millet should be cut just as 
it is heading out. Although somewhat difficult to 
cure, it makes a forage which is very palatable 
and useful for winter feeding. Yields of hay have 
often reached as high as three to four tons per 
acre; but if is not recommended for hay-making 
