The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-08-06
Hungarian Grass and Millet..

by proper management second crop
may often be grown upon stubble, or
upon a sod which is not to be kept in
grass the next year. A quick growing
plant is needed for this purpose. One Of
the best, it not the best Of all, is Hungar-
ian grass or millit, which are similar
plants in 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 soil.
A warm season, with sufficient moisture,
and a warm, dry, rich, soil, will bring the
crop into condition for cutting in six
weeks. Although Hungarian grass is
very often written about, yet there is a
lack of proper information in regard to it.
tits unjustly charged with being injuri-
GUS to horses, with being coarse, hard,
woody, and innutritious for COWS and the
latest error i'll regard to this useful plant,
IS statement made by a Pennsylvania
journal, which pretends to he agricultur-
al, in part, at least, to the effect that; Gas
the seed cannot be freed from chaff, three
bushels per acre should be sown." The
grass and the related Italian millet rcsem-
BILE each other, except in the form of the
panicle or head; Hungarian grass hay
ing close head, and millet looser and
more broken one. In point of leafness,
yield of crop and manner Of growth, both
are alike, and, although Hun arian grass
is the more popular, yet there seems to
be no reason for this preference. Either
Of these crops require 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
'''chaff," like clover seed. The seed is
.sown broadcast and slightly narrowed in
upon well-mellowed ground. It may be
sown as late as July, but for fodder it is
we'll to sow in succession through June
and the early part Of July oItisT best cut
as soon as the head is formed and when
the foliage has become fully grown. 1t
is best cut as soon as the head is formed
and when the foliage has become fully
grown. 1t is then green and succulent,
and not SO hard and woody as when the
seed is ripe The grain is surrounded by
a number. Of Short barbeda bristles or
awns; when the seed is ripe, these bristles
are fully grown, hard and sharp, and
when eaten by horses, are found to irritatc
the stomach and intestines.s Forthis rea-
son the fodder has gained bad reputation
without deserving it; all possible danger
may easily be avoided by good
management in cutting early; when
in the condition to make e nutri-
tious hay the % bristle can 2i1 do
harm. The grass is cut and cured as
common hay, and when harvested in
good time, cured green, is palatable and
nutritious. For a 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 bar
ley, it occupies the ground but a short
time. Where the hay crop is short, and
fodder is likely to be scarce, few acres
of Hungarian grass or millet may serve
a valuable purpose, and allow the farmer
to carry his animals through the winter.
Golden or German miliet is another
variety which has been tested with much
success, It has close panicle, broad
leaves, and grows very rank and HIGH.
giving very heavy burden Of fodder. It