Connecticut western news., 1879-07-09
Hungarian Grass and Millet.

By proper management, a second crop may often be grown upon stubble, or upon sod which is not to be kept in grass the next year. 4 quick growing plant is needed for this purpose. One of the best, if not the best of all, is Hun garian Grass or Millet, which are simi- lar plants in nearly all respects. Either of these may be brought to maturity in SIX or eight weeks, the time depending upon the season and the condition of the soH. A warm season, with sufficient. moisture, and warm, dry, rich soil, will bring the crop into condition for cutting in six weeks. Although Hun garian Grass is very often written about, yet there is lack of proper information In regard to 1t. It is unjustly charged With being injurious to horses, with beng coarse, hard, woody, and innutrl- t1ous for COWS; and the latest error 1n regard to this useful plant, is state ment made by Pennsylvania journal, which pretends to be agricultural, Tn part at least, to the effect that, "as the seed cannot be freed from chaff, three bushels per acre should be sown." This grass, and the related Italian Millet, resemble each other, except in the form of the panicle or head; Hungarian Grass having close head, and Millet 8 looser and more broken one. In point of leafness, yield of crop, and manner
 
 ot growth, both are alike; and although Hungarian grass is the more popular, yet there seems to be no reason for this preference. Either of these crops re- qulre good, warm, light land three | pecks to one bushel of seed per acre the seed IS small and yellow, or yellow and black, and is quite free from
 chdtf, like clover seed. The seed is soWn broadcast and slightly narrowed ln upon we'll mellowed ground. It may De soWn as late as July, but for fodder It IS well to SOW in succession through June and the early part of July. 1t is best cut as soon as the head is formed, and when the foliage has become fully grown. It is then green and succulent, and not so hard or woody, as when the seed is ripe. The grain is surrounded by number of short, barbed bristles or awns; when the seed is ipe, these bristles are fully grown, hard and sharp, and when eaten by horses, are found to lrritate the stomach and intestines. For this reason the fodder has gained bad reputation without deserving it all pos sible danger may be easily avoided by good management in cutting early when in the condition to make nutri- tious hay, the bristles can do no harm. The grass is cut and cured as common hay, and when harvested in good time, and cured green, is palatable and nu- tritiOus. For successive fodder crop, to come in after oats, it is very useful, and also as one to take the place of hay; because being an annual, and grown as other annual grasses, such as oats or barley, it occupies the ground but a short time. Where the hay crop is short, and fodder is likely to be scarce, 8 few acres of Hungarian Grass or Mil let may serve a valuable purpose, and allow the farmer to carry his animals through the winter. Golden or Ger man Millet is another variety which has been tested with much success. It has close panicIe, broad leaves, and grows very rank and high, giving heavy bur den of fodder. It promises to be more | prOfi+ahla than either of tha hefOra. mentioned varieties, but will hardly dis place them, as it natures considerably later, but it will be useful to SOW for a success on of fodder.