340 



SHAMAY. 



diately and cuts ofif the tops at the place at which they are bent, and 

 a third set gather the cut tops into carts or waggons, which take them 

 to the factory. Here they are first sorted over, and parcelled out 

 into small bunches, each bunch being made up into brush fibre of equal 

 length. The seed is then taken off by an apparatus, with teeth like a 

 hatchel. The machine is worked by six horses, and cleans the brush 

 very rapidly. It is then spread thin to dry, on racks put up in 

 buildings designed for the pui'pose. In about a week, with ordinary 

 weather, it becomes so dry that it will bear to be packed closely. 



Carpet brooms, velvet brushes, and other kinds of brushes are made 

 of the panicles. 



Panicums. — Panicum is the ricLest in species among the grasses. 

 Hitherto about three hundred well-defined species are known, chiefly 

 tropical and sub-tropical. Many are good fodder plants, whilst the 

 seeds of several furnish palatable and nutritious table food. 



In Algeria the following are grown : — P. glomeratum ruhrum, ordi- 

 nary millet (P. miliaceum) ; the brown Pekin (P. Pehmensis) ; the 

 Persian millet (P. Persicum) ; another with a large spike (P. mono- 

 stachyum, H. B.) ; bristling millet (P. echinatum), P. eriogonum ; 

 and the Hungarian millet (P. Germaniciim or Italicum). 



Italian Millet (Panicum Italicum ; Setaria Italicd). — This grain 

 is cultivated in many parts of India, and delights in a light, elevated, 

 tolerably dry soil. It is much prized by the native Indians of all 

 descriptions, who make cakes of it, and also a kind of porridge ; for 

 the purposes of pastry it is little if at all inferior to wheat, and when 

 boiled with milk forms a light and pleasant meal for invalids. The 

 Brahmins hold it in high estimation, indeed more than any other 

 grain. The seedtime for the first crop is June or July, and the 

 harvest in September. A second crop may be had from the same 

 ground between September and the end of January. This grain is 

 commonly cultivated in the Himalayas, occasionally up to 6500 feet. 

 There are three varieties of Italian millet. 



Chen A or Indian Millet ; Veragoo (Panicum miliaceum^ Lin.). — 

 This does not appear to be a crop worth much attention. The grain 

 is very inferior, and fetches a low price in the bazaars of India, 

 while it is a very slow grower, and occupies the land a long time. 

 Still it is extensively cultivated in most parts of India. In the 

 Deccan it is sown in June or July by hand, is sometimes trans- 

 planted ; requires weeding in August and September, and is reaped 

 in November or December. Its grain is considered digestible and 

 nutritious, and in some parts is mostly consumed unground. 



It is grown in Sicily, where it is called milium, or little millet, 

 and there are two varieties, white and red. 



Shamay, — In Bengal Panicum miliare, Lam., is the species usually 

 known as little millet. It would seem to be a native of India, and 

 China, and is by no means extensively cultivated. In the Punjaub it 

 is known as huthi. 



