The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-10
German Millet.

Mr.. +. VI. Atkinson, writing from
Hollywood Farm. Pitt county. quite
enthusiastically describes this plant.
which he regards as the hidden phil
osopher's stone. destined To reclaim
our barren fields and waste places, and
cause them t. bloom a. the rose"
80 large a number of our farmers
have raised small patches of millet this
year, and have become so satisfied of
its advantages as a forage plant. that
we merely extract from Mr.. As in
teresting letter
The strikingly rapid growth and
prolific yield are points of excellence
which render its merits unquestion-
able. The fact OF its readiness for the
rcap-hOok in from six to eight weeks
after seeding. enables the planter to
produce tirO ftH crops OF the same area
IN one year. ON very highly improved
soil. with proper care. etc. II har-
vcsting viii show from two and a half
to three tons of hay per acre: and
when we take into consideration that
ttrO such crops can De secured iu one
season. 1t highly COmmends itself to
u attention. Ten thousand pounds
of good forage from an acre. The
plant is Very hardy on well drained
lands other vegetation viii wither and
crisp III the noon-day rays of a sum
mer's sun. while this seems To bask in
its w luxuriance; drouth has scarce
ly any effect upon it, and it is well
suited to our climate. 1t is highly val
liable as a forage plant. All kinds Of
stock ara S~nrN- fond of ~ prha, fed
green or cured horses and mules eat
it with avidity. 1t a be used as an
assistant of corn-fodder. oats. or hay !;
in fact. it may be substituted for either
cattle equally relish it.. When the
heads are allowed to ripen it affords a
fine run for hogs"
harvest
I'm order to achieve the maximum
results, as with all other members of
the vegetable kingdom, the highest
state of fertility and most thorough
preparation of soil is necessary but
especially is this the case with German
millet. There is no benefit to be de-
rived from seeding on thin land, or
ever moderately rich soil. as it would
only be q waste of time and labor but
ON well improved land it will meet the
most sanguine expectations.
1t may be Sown from Nav until
July-a little sooner ii the spring Will
admit and there are two methods
the drill and broadcast. If the former
be adopted. the distance of the rows
should not exceed two feet, 50 as Just
to admit the passage of some kind Of
cultlvatOr, only one or two plowingS
being required, on account of its rapid
growth. 1t IS useless to speak of the
latter method. as every one is familiar
with the broadcast of small grain but
in either case th~ree-fOurths of a bushel
of see is sufficient for an acre. 1t
would be we'll to harrow lightly at the
age of ten or fifteen days, as it fire.
quently has a tendency to fall down if
earth is not gently thrown around the
base, SO as to receive the lateral roots !;
His should be done ecen If sOrn broad
cast. The fact that all heterogeneous
matter is destroyed by virtue of cul-
tivation in the drill, renders this plan
somewhat o preferable.
Used as a forage it should be cut
whenever the heads appear plentifully;
at this degree of maturity the stalk is
soft and nutritive. but if suffered to
remain longer, it becomes hard and
u~npalatable. However, if the seed are
allowed to ripen, they are unmistak-
ably good as a substitute for grain"