Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-07-02
agricultural.
Millet and Hungarian Grass.

Millet and Hungarian grass may
rightly be termed summer hay crops,
as they enable the farmer to secure for
age when the hay has been deficient in
yiled, and they grow so rapidly that all
weeds are completely destroyed. In
fact, a piece of land that has been over
run with weeds can be cleared in q sin
gle season by growing Hungarian grass
thereon. Millet is cut but once, as it
grows very tall, especially the German
variety, but Hungarian grass may be
moved every Eve weeks until frost
comes. 1t starts Of rapidly after each
moving, and as the successive crops
are cut any weeds that have survived
the crowding Of the grass is also moved,
and before the season ends they have
not only been prevented from seeding
but exterminated. II a crop OF Hunga-
rian grass accomplished nothing more
than this it would be beneficial, but
crop that grows so rapidly necessarily
takes much from the soil, and for that
reason the land for millet and Hunga-
rian grass should be we'll MANFRED and
nut in good condition, though excellent
crops have been secured on sandy soils
As crops for blowing under they serve
the purpose we'll and give good results if
the land is then lined.
From a bushel to bushel and half
of seed is required for an acre, but if
crop is grown for seed twelve quarts of
seed is sufficient. 1t is better to use too
much rather than too little seed, as it is
considered delicacy by birds and they
will get a large share. Prepare the
land we'll, having the surface fine, and
brush the seed 10. It terminates quick
iy and if it gets good start will stand
a dry season fairly we'll. Millet should
be allowed to grow until it begins to
blossom, when it should then be be cut,
cured like ordinary hay and stored un-
der shelter, Under no circumstances
should it be allowed to produce seed if
intended for stock. nor approach too
close to the seeding stage. Just when
it begins to blossom is about the correct
period for cutting. If the heads arc al
lowed to form seed there is q liability
of injury to stock when it is eaten, and
it also then contains too much woody
FIBRE. The preference shown by horses
aud COWS for millot hay will largely de-
pend on the stage of growth at which it
is cut and cured, and like hay, it should
be cured very carefully, for upon the
curing depends its quality in the win
ter season. -, =,
It is not advisable to grow millet and
Hungarian grass if clover and timothy
can be secured, but there are some years
when these two summer crops are IN
dispensable to the farmer. They are
nearly always sure. and they prevent
him from going into the winter with no
hay at ALL AS Hungarian grass may
be cut as soon us the plants are high
enough for the mower, it is always ten
der and free from seeds, but OF course
contains more water in its composition
than millet and is consequently not so
nutritious unless cut at an advanced
stage Of growth Horses have accepted
it very readily, and if cut up in the feed
cutter and made more palatable with
ground grain, it is an excellent addition
to the winter ration. Hungarian grass
may be turned under at any time, which
gives the land heavy sod as food for
crimson GLOVER, which may follow it to
occupy the land during the winter.
This is equivalent to securing crop OF
bay from now on and turning under
crop of Hungarian grass in the fall and
one Of crimson clover in the spring, as
well as leaving the land clear of weeds
for corn next year. Much will depend
on the kind of soil, however, for if it is
not in good condition the growth OF the
Hungarian grass will be slower and the
cuttinpe fewer.