Martinsburgh Gazette

The following, from the American Farmer, may not be uninteresting to some of our readers, at this season.

MILLET.

Burlington, March 23, 1823.

DEAR SIR,

I observe in your 52d number, just received, mention is made of white millet seed, from Col. Pickering. I am desirous of ascertaining whether this is the same kind which I have cultivated for several years, of which I send for your inspection a small sample. In 1821, I had about 1 1/2 tons from 5 acres, and last year about the same product from another lot of about 5 acres. I cradled it as wheat, bound it in large sheaves, brought it in the following day—threshed the sheaves at the end of several months, without unbinding them, and obtained about 17 bushels of seed per acre; returned them to the mow for the use of my horses, who ate it greedily as the best timothy hay. This mode of managing the millet saves much room, as it is very bulky; more seed is saved, than when cut with the scythe as hay—I calculated the product at about 20 bushels per acre, including the seed remaining in the unbound sheaves. In 1821 I had about 30 bushels, weighing 55 lbs each, ground for my hogs, who ate it as Indian meal given to them.—Both crops were sowed about the 6th June, and gathered in the middle of August—they were sown after Indian corn one year with one ploughing, and the other with two, and harrowed in, without any perceptible difference—the quantity of seed, half bushel per acre.

Very respectfully, yours,

WM. COXE

The millet sent by Mr. Coxe, is of the common kind, and that which is generally referred to in communications which relate to that grain. That from Col. Pickering, was very different, being somewhat larger, rounder, and whiter grain.—Edit. Am. Farmer.