Proso Is 
We have a great many letters asking us about Proso— 
also asking information as to when to sow and how. 
Proso was introduced into this country from Russia 
some twelve or fifteen years ago, and in certain sections 
of the United States is beginning to get quite a foot¬ 
hold, due to the demand for it as poultry feed. Proso 
seems to put its entire strength into reproducing seed. 
One seed will often stool and make fifteen to twenty- 
five heads instead of one. In an experiment by a grower 
of Proso, he found one seed that stooled out producing 
twenty-one heads with 1,185 grains. We had one 
customer who wrote us that he grew twelve bushels 
from a 7-ounce package. 
Proso makes a splendid mash when ground alone, or 
it is a wonderful grain to grind in equal parts with corn 
or oats. However, most of our customers who have 
bought seed in rather small amounts, grow it and cut 
it just as the seeds are getting ripe. They store it in 
the loft and give the entire plant to the chickens during 
the winter. It makes a wonderful litter and keeps the 
hens busy scratching all day. 
Proso is a quick maturing crop, generally being com¬ 
pletely matured within sixty to seventy days from 
sowing. For that reason, it should not be sown until 
after the middle of May and some time up even as late 
as August 1. One year, some of our customers in Iowa 
bought some Proso and seeded the idle acres which they 
had had set apart under the government order and on 
which the government lifted the restriction after the 
drought. The rains came at just the right time, with 
the result that one of them grew as much as 5000 pounds 
of Proso off of the acres that were supposed to remain 
idle, but which the government permitted him to use 
in this way. For that reason, the general bulk of Proso 
is never sown until anywhere from the 15th of June to 
and 15th of July. It will, therefore, appear that to 
have an excellent crop, late planting should be used, 
especially if you have a drought in June and the first 
part of July. Perhaps these people have luck, because 
if it is sown in dry soil and no rains come, naturally it is 
like any other grain and will not germinate. It must 
have same moisture to germinate. 
Proso can be planted on high land soil that is not 
suitable for many crops, and if a shower can start the 
seed off, it will require very little moisture thereafter. 
Of course, it does best on rich land. It will grow practi¬ 
cally anywhere. On account of the late sowing, it can 
often be sown after other crops have been removed 
or on ground where the first crop has been drowned 
out or killed by the drought. 
Proso is generally sown in small plots, broadcasted the 
same as you would oats or clover seed, and takes about 
12 Yv pounds to the acre. Those who raise larger fields 
of it generally sow it with a drill, putting in rows about 
two feet apart, and in which case use only five or six 
pounds to an acre. If it makes a good start and has a 
nice shower shortly after sowing, it will often smother 
quack grass or thistLes. The ground should be plowed 
deep and pulverized thoroughly. 
While it is fed to all stock, several of our universities 
have said that it was at its best when fed to poultry 
because of its high protein content. Prof. Hansen says 
that for feeding stock or poultry, it is equal to or better 
than wheat. It increased egg production, making a 
splendid scratch for the hens fed unthrashed. It is 
easy to thrash and if you have a large amount you can 
thrash it in any ordinary threshing machine. 
READ WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT PROSO 
WON TWO FIRST PRIZES 
Gentlemen: 
“This is a neglected letter, but never too late to praise 
your Proso, which I purchased from you last Spring to 
try out up here and results were well paid. I received 
two first prizes on your Proso at two different Fairs 
and sure enough that ought to speak for itself. It sure 
yields 100% and such a good feed it makes.” 
Walter Lindvall. 
SAYS CHICKENS LOVE PROSO 
Dear Sirs: 
“I am enclosing $2.00 for 5 lbs. of Proso—the Wonder 
Grain for Poultry. I had a trial package last year and 
it is a wonderful grain for Poultry and how they love 
it—and it keeps them at work in the winter scratching, 
which is good exercise for them. ’ 
Prudence A. Stickney. 
WONDERFULLY PLEASED 
“Last Spring I purchased a few pounds of your Proso 
seed. Am wonderfully pleased with it.” 
H. P. Reckards. 
PROSO GREW FOUR FEET HIGH 
"I got some Proso seed from you last Spring, and 
Boy! That sure grows good here! Got three to four 
feet high, and seed so many that they just tipped over 
from weight.” 
Walter E. Kimble. 
THINKS PROSO THE GREATEST FEED 
FOR CHICKS 
Gentlemen: 
“We sowed Poultry Cabbage for the first time last 
year and due to drought, had to irrigate our garden, 
but it yielded an enormous quantity of feed, and 
chickens, geese and ducks eat it with much enjoyment. 
I sowed the remainder of the package this year and 
now have enough space clear to put in more for late 
Summer and Fall feed. 
We also tried Proso and think it is the greatest feed 
ever for chickens. We are feeding some to young 
chicks and they leave other feed for it. Certainly 
thrive on it.” 
14 ] 
Edith Kratz. 
