AUuGuST Io, 1903, 
12 THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 
' AMBER CANE COMPARED WITH PEARL Mier. 
0 (| (| Q If ie 0 S Amber Pearl Amber Pearl 
. Cane. Mullet. Cane, Millet. 
Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 
=O6es= Average of 
6 Fieids .. 13°72 EAB} 15:90 14°72 
MAIZE COMPARED WITH THE Ameer CANE ComMPARED witH TEOSINTE. 
MILLETS. ; 
ae eaves Tecsinte. fue Teosinte, 
’ ‘ . Tons. Tons, Tcns. Tons. 
{From the “ Journal of Agriculture,” Victoria. | Average of : 
5 4 Fields... 13-79 16°78 19°77 
In addition to the proved suitability of 
Southern Victoria for the cultivation of 
the sorghum family, the experiments last 
year gave pronounced evidence of the 
splendid success that might be obtained 
- from another class of plants-—the millets, 
frequently grouped with the sorghums. 
Only two varieties—the Japanese and 
pearl millet—were obtainable on the Mel- 
bourne market at the time the experi- 
ments were undertaken, but. the two, I 
think, have proved sufficient to pave the » 
way for the introduction of a crop which 
will be taken up as a favorite throughout - 
the whole of Gippsland and the Western 
District. Quick in growth, fine in foliage, 
and of great adaptability to a wide range 
of soils, even the poorest with manure, the 
Japanese millet ‘especially will, I feel sure, 
rapidly catch on among dairymen. Tho 
pearl millet, while giving heavier yields, is 
much slower in growth, and a little more 
particular as regards its soil, but on the - 
rich flats, with a sufficiency of moistuce, 
yields of 30 tons and perhaps more to the 
acre might be procurable from the first 
cut. From the second cut very large 
yields ought also to follow. The Japanese 
millet in a favorable season, and got in 
early, would certainly give two and pro- 
bably three cuts. Of the two varieties I 
should recommend it as the most generally 
suitable for Gippsland. A comparison of 
the yields of the millets with maize and 
amber cane will show the position the 
crops hold in productive power to these - 
. two Crops. 
Maize Comparep with Japanese Minuet. 
| 
Based on the Based@onethe 
Baie Rie average of 
Goes the maximum 
manured elds 
sections, y - 
3 \Japan’s . Japan's 
Maize. | yrintet. Maize Mil'et 
: Tons. Tons. || ‘Tons. |. Tons, = 
Average of 9 fields ...) 8:95 9°53 || 10%9 | 11°48 
{ 
Ameer Cane CoMPpARED WITH JAPANESE 
MILuet. ‘ 
Cane. Millet. “Canes Millet. 
Tons. ‘Tons. ‘Tons. - Tons. 
Average of ae) : 
9 Fields... ~ 11°74 10:43 
9:50 8:79". 
Maize Comparep with Prarn Miner, — 
. Pearl | : Pearl 
Maize wittet. M#° Millet. 
5 ; Tons. ‘Tons. Tons. Tons. 
Average of . j 
14°60 14°72 
6 Fields... 12:07 12°78 
15:10 
Tt will be noticed that the amber cane 
has in both cases given heavier yields than 
either of the millets, while the maize ap- 
pears to have been slightly exceeded in the 
yields by both. This, I think, on the bet- 
ter class of soils would not, as far as maize 
and Japanese millet are concerned, be a 
general thing. A number of these returns 
were secured from light soils of no great 
natural fertility, and on such soils, with 
manures, the Japanese millet particularly 
has done better than the maize. As a 
general thing heavier yields will, I think, 
from maize than from - 
On rich, 
be obtained 
Japanese millet as a first cut. 
a good deal in excess of the amber cane. 
It. is, however, very slow of growth, re 
quires plenty of moisture, and ig about fit 
for cutting just before the first frosts. Its 
only use, I think, would be forsilage. It 
will not, I think, catch on generally as a 
forage. 
O 
THE OPINIONS OF DAIRYMEN ON 
THE VARIOUS CROPS. 
The point which up to now has received 
special prominence in this paper has been 
the bulk of fodder obtainable from each 
crop. Considerations of the palatability 
of each forage plant, its nutritive value, 
suitability for different periods of the sea- 
son. or different localities have not been 
dealt with. For answers to these ques 
tions we are dependent principally upon 
the verdict of the dairyman. The opinions 
of the dairymen vary somewhat with re- 
gard to certain crops, but there appears 4 
great unanimity with respect to others. 
few of these opinions have already been 
given. Extracts from a number of letters 
from the more prominent growers are gived 
moist flats the pearl millet may exceed the 
maize. but is stow of growth and late in - 
mattirnige” ~“ziui ojection. raised by one 
farmer is that the cows do not take readily 
to it. Fed on amber cane and maize, 
doubtless some little time would be re- 
quired to acquire a taste for.a different 
fodder, but I hardly think the objection 
will be found a general one. The 
Japanese millet, apart from its heavy 
yield, is exceedingly quick of growth, ap- 
pears to be relished by all kinds of stock, 
_ is fine in the stalk, makes good hay, and ~ 
put in early ought to give two, perhaps 
three, cuts during the season. It should 
onpes neeiesals AaieheeeaTaanesé 3 be cut. just as the seed heads are appear- 
“Cant ing. 
- Ture RETURNS FROM TEOSINTE. 
It will be noticed that the tables show 
the returns from another crop—teosinte, a 
crop very similar in appearance and char- 
acter to the sorghums. 
tion, under favorable conditions, of pro- 
ducing the largest bulk of fodder of all 
forage plants. The yields it will be seen, 
taking the average of the four fields, are 
It has the reputa- 
Japanese Millet (showing Second Growth), Upper Tambo. 
here. 
_ It is not to be understood that I 
agree in all respects with the opinions ¢x- 
‘pressed by these growers. 
JAPANESE MILieT, 
Mr. Grant, Upper Tambo:—“My 
opinion of maize as a green, fodder ig soon 
stated. I would not grow it again be- 
cause Japanese millet planted on the same 
day, cultivated under the same conditions 
and cut the same day, gave a greater 
weight in the first cut, and was afterwards 
cut twice. With maize the cows did not 
increase as much in milk as with the 
Japanese millet.’ 
Mr. Crowe, Eltham:—‘“The Japanese 
millet I like very well, and will certainly — 
put in some of it next season. The cows 
Gay ib well and also milk well when fed on 
ik ez 
“Mr. McGrath, Loch :—“The other forage 
crops, after beet, I would class as follows — 
First, Japanese millet which, if sown early, 
in my opinion, has no equal as a summer. 
feed for dairy cows, as it could be fed off 
twice and then let go for seed and hay as 
it will do for both,”. Rayo 
