88 FORAGE CROPS 
Vield and value of crop 
The largest yield of palatable and digestible 
food will be secured if Pearl millet is cut just as it 
begins to head. This stage will be reached in 
about three months from time of seeding; that is, 
if planted early in June, it will be ready for the 
beginning of harvest the latter part of August or 
first of September. It should not be allowed to 
head out fully before cutting, because the plants 
rapidly increase in erude fiber as the heads begin. 
to form, and soon become hard and unpalatable. 
The yields vary widely, ranging from eight to over 
twenty tons per acre, the latter figure being reached 
when all soil and seasonal conditions are favor- 
able, and when the crop is allowed to mature. 
For the eastern and central states Pearl millet 
does not possess advantages over the Barnyard 
millet, except possibly in its yield, although the 
larger yield requires a longer period of growth. 
For a catch-crop it is not so desirable as the 
Barnyard millet. If cut just before heading, it is 
said that it will make a very rapid second growth, 
which may be harvested in a month to six weeks. 
The experience gained in the eastern and middle 
states does not confirm the advantages of this 
practice, for, while the plant makes a considerable 
second growth, it is not large enough ordinarily 
to pay for the use of the land. Farther south this 
