The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-03-06
q Il Il I e WA L W!R RAA .
From the Patent Office Report.
Indian Millet, or Dourah Corn.
BY n. T. sORSBY.

Indian millct, (Ifoicas sorghmn,,) rs its
Name implies, is a native Of India, and is
cultivated in most parts of Asia Minor, AT.
RIGA, the West Indies and Brazil 1t has
also been introduced into the south of Eu-
rope, China, Cochin.C China, Japan, and into
the southern and middle portions of the
United States. In Arabia, it is called
I" Dora" or" Doural'," in France, Sorgho
blanc," or Dour;," in the British West
Indies, "Guinea corn," in the United States
Dourah corn and "Tenncssce rice" /:
will grow to perfection from Pennsylvania
to Texas, and doubtless would mature its
seeds III most of the Western States south
Of Iowa.
l first SAW this plant growing in Georgia
in 1888. The year following, introduced
its culture into this country, where it has
been somewhat extensively cultivated since.
There are two distinct varieties of this corn
cultivated with us, namely, the "White"
and the Rcddisl-brown." They are read
lily distinguished 10y the color Of the seeds.
The brown is preferred to the white, rs it
is more prolific in grain, Which natures
earlier and yields four times us much. The
white is SO late in maturing that the frost
destroys much Of it, and it yields so little
gram, compared viii, the brown, that our
planters have almost abandoned its culture
The meal, or flour, of the white is much
lighter colorcd and nicer in appearance than
that Of the brown, the latter being ,l;,k
colored by the pcricarp and chatf Boil,
varieties grow we'll until checked by frost.
Caiiution.-This plant grows well on
the poorest s"i!s, and makes a good crop
OH our limestone rock, where there is
enough Of it disintcgratcd to support the
stalk. Tho best soils are the light, rich,
sandy loans, and the rich black limestone
soils.
The land is ploughed into ridges, from
three to four feet apart, Just before the time
Of planting. In March, April, and May, and
sometimes i'll June and July. these ridges
are opened with "scooter plough" and
the seed either sown and covered with
harrow from an inch to one and half
inches deep. 1t is also sown broadcast, and
covered with harrow. In some instances,
it is planted in the missing hills of Indian
corn. From one peck to buslel Of seed
is sown to the acre. Plenty Of seed, how
ever, must be put in to secure stand. If
it is much wccvil-eatcn, and then covered
too deep, it does not come up well. After
it comes up, it vii! grow in spite Of the
frost, rain, or drought, being a very hardy
plant.
When sown broadcast, it is not worked
at all. If drilled, it is chopped with I1oes
to stand and ploughcd once, unless drilled
for soiling, when it is not thinned out. Ii
planted with Indian corn, it is cultivated
with it. 1t needs but little culture. After
it gets start, it drfics weeds and grass,
and will make crop in spite Of every dis
astcr.
Judging from my own observation, this
corn will yield from 10 to 100 bushels Of
seed to the acre, according to the quality Of
the land and the mode of culture. 1t is
sometimes cut green for soilng cattle and
mules; and if properly done, so as not to
injurc the buds near the ground, it may he
cut several times in season. 1t is also
cured and made into fodder, or hay
When intended for fodder, il is pulled, and
cured like the stalks Of Indian corn. The
ears are cut as they ripen, and are preserved
for seed, or fed to stock. The stalks arc
cut after the seed rpens, in September and
October, and fed to animals. The ears
are eaten entire by cattle and hogs. The
stalks are sometimes cut before frost and
put into barns, and then fed to Stock
They remain green for months, and do not
ferment nor spoil SO soon as Indian corn
and other grain.
The planters here, after gathering their
seed, and curing as much as they desire OF
it, il September or October, turn all their
stock into the fields to feed. No further
care of them is necessary, except to salt
and water them. If the field is large
enough, in short time, all will get fat on
it, and leave the ground covered from ankle
to knee-deep with the stalks. I have never
heard Of its killing any animals, and they
will eat quantities of it. from the time it
comes up until it disappears after frost. It
is not only a harmless but very healthy
plant. Birds and weevils destroy much of
it if the grain remains in the field until
frost. Weevils are not so destructive af-
ter it is put into barns. Rats and mice
will destroy It unlesscared for.
Uses.-Besides serving as food for fowls
and animals in Egypt, India, and China, it
is used AS food by the inhabitants. A fail
al, g. 4.