Adaptation and distribution of millets.
The foxtail millets are of rather general adaptation as to climate. Of these, the Ger man is the variety most largely grown in the South. All the varieties are employed in the Central, Middle and New England states, particularly for hay and soiling purposes. In the middle Vest the common millet is the best for drought - resistance, though the Hungarian is nearly as good.
The prosos, to be really successful, are somewhat restricted in range because of the climate. They are extremely drought-resist ant, but at the same time do not appear to be adapted to low altitudes or southern lati tudes. They give best results in the northern Great Plains and at altitudes above 4,000 feet.
The barnyard millets require much more moisture than those of the other groups and are especially adapted to the Eastern and Central states and to cultivation by irrigation.
Culture.
Soil.—All millets require a rich, mellow soil.
As the roots do not go deep, there should be a con centration of plant-food as near the surface as possible. For this reason they are rather exhaus tive on the available food supply in the soil, and the effect frequently may be seen in the follow ing crop. To concentrate the plant-food near the surface, it may be desirable in some districts to apply special manures to be determined by the nature of the soil in the particular locality. The foxtail millets and prosos, as a rule, should have a rather heavy clay loam that will hold moisture well, when grown in dry districts, and a lighter sandy loam if there is much rainfall.
Millet is often made a catch-crop after rye or some other early- maturing crop or when crops have been destroyed. In such cases, if in a humid district, it is well to plow immediately after har vesting the other crop, and then the soil can be put in excellent condition for the millet. If in a dry district, the ground is better simply double disked without plowing, after which it should be harrowed and the millet drilled ; or if the soil has remained unplowed already for a long period it may be plowed after the double-disking. The first
treatment produces a surface mulch of the stubble and weeds, which absorbs moisture and checks evaporation ; if later it is plowed under, the under soil is thus put in a more compact condition and will not "dry out" easily. Summer fallow, or land plowed late the previous fall is, of course, already likely to be in excellent condition for millet and needs only to be lightly disked and harrowed before drilling.
Seeding.—As a rule, millets should be sown with a drill, particularly in the dry districts. When grown in humid areas, where the condition of the soil for resisting drought is not important, and especially if the crop is to be pastured, broadcast ing may be better. A usual rate of seeding is two to three pecks per acre for the foxtail and proso millets, and one to two pecks for the barnyard millets. In very dry areas the rate may be con siderably less. Millets are sown at about the same time that corn is planted, but the period may be extended to August 1. For soiling purposes, several crops may be planted at different dates.
Millet is one of the best crops for immediate planting on new land or first "breaking." Unless the sod is very stiff the crop can be sown soon after the former is turned over.
Harvesting.—This feature, of course, varies, depending on the purpose for which the crop is to be used. In this country the foxtail millets are used exclusively for forage, and, therefore, should always be cut before the seed begins to ripen unless it is intended to sell the seed. For hay they should be cut even earlier, about the time most of the heads have appeared. The barnyard millets are also rarely used for the grain, and, for early hay or soiling, should be cut at about the blooming period.
It is even more essential to cut the prosos in good time if intended for forage, as these millets are coarse and their forage quality diminishes rapidly toward the time of maturity.