THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 35 



known in tlie Southern States. - It has been confounded with the John- 

 son grass., which is very different, and is botanically Sorghum hakqyense. 

 It (the Panicum jumentorum) seldom matures seed in this country and 

 may be propagated by dividing the roots or by obtaining the seed from 

 foreign countries. The bCvSt time to set out the roots is in IMarch and 

 April. If so treated it is said that they will be ready for the first mow- 

 ing by the last of May, and that with favorable weather mowing may 

 be repeated about every six weeks until frost occurs. The roots are 

 tender and easily killed by frost, and should therefore be protected by 

 mulching during the winter. It is too tender to be cultivated except 

 in the very warmest portions of our country. An analysis made at the 

 Department of Agriculture in 1878 shows it to be very rich in nutritive 

 materials^ (Plate 5.) 



Panicum barbinode. (Para grass P. molle Swz. in Annual Eeport, 



1883.) 



This is quite similar in general appearance to the preceding, but has 

 smaller leaves, and a shorter, less spreading panicle, with shorter, more 

 densely-flowered branches. The spikelets are closer together and very 

 short-pediceled, the lowest glume is about one-fourth as long as the 

 spikelet. It is said to be a native of Africa. It has been introduced into 

 South America, and in Brazil is largely cultivated for i)asturage, and 

 is said to be unequaled for the quantity and quality of the feed which 

 it produces. Dr. Charles Mohr, of Mobile, Ala., states that it has been 

 some years introduced in that vicinity, and that it is extremely pro- 

 ductive and valuable. It has also been introduced in Florida. (Plate 

 6.) 



Panicum miliaceum. (Millet grass.) 



This annual species grows 2 to 3 feet high, with a large, open nod- 

 ding panicle of flowers. The stem is thick and branching above, the 

 nodes or joints swollen, the leaves, and especially the sheaths, are soft 

 hairy. The leaves are numerous and about 6 inches long. The flowers 

 and seeds are at the ends of the slender pedicils, and when ripe become 

 yellow in color. It is a native of Asia, where it has been cultivated 

 for ages, and in many parts is an imi)ortant article in the food supply 

 of the natives. It is also cultivated in Egypt, Turkey, and Southern 

 Europe. It has been cultivated to a limited extent in this country for 

 forage, and will thrive and ripen in the Northern as well as the Southern 

 States. 



Mr. Charles L. Flint says : 



Millet is one of the best crops we have for cnttiug and feeding green for soiling 

 purposes, since its yield is large, its luxuriant leaves juicy and tender, and much rel- 

 ished by milch cows and other stock. The seed is rich in nutritive qualities, but it is 

 very seldom ground or used for flour, though it is said to exceed all other kinds of meal 

 or tlour in nutritive elements. An acre well cultivated will yield from CO to 70 bushels 

 of seed. Cut in the blossom, as it should be for feeding to cattle, the seed is compar- 

 atively valueless. If allowed to ripen its seed, the stalk is no more nutritious, proba- 

 bly, than oat straw. 



