Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao (Vol. 2)

Barnyard Millet

The Famine Relief Herbal original: "救荒本草" (Jiuhuang Bencao), a Ming dynasty work dedicated to plants that can be eaten during times of starvation. states: Water millet grows along the edges of rice paddies, while dry millet grows in fields and the wilderness. The seedlings and leaves resemble finger millet original: "穇子" (shēnzi), another hardy cereal grain.; the leaves are deep green, and the stalks near the base often have a purple tint. At the tips of the stalks, it produces flat ears of grain that bear seeds about the size of broomcorn millet. They are a tea-brown color, slightly bitter in taste, and "mildly warm" in their medicinal nature. One may harvest the seeds and pound them to remove the husks, then cook them as porridge. They are even better when steamed. Alternatively, they can be ground into flour for various foods.

The Farmer of Yulou A pseudonym used by the author to provide expert agricultural commentary. says: Barnyard millet can easily be confused with rice seedlings. There are two varieties: one with round ears like broomcorn millet, and another that is flat with several ears growing together. If it is threshed together with rice, the result is a messy mixture with the husks still attached; however, if it is processed separately with a pestle, the grains are white and fine. When boiled into porridge, it is smooth and delicious. In the North, it is often planted on the ridges between fields. It is not to be looked down upon as a mere weed like foxtail or darnel original: "稂莠" (lángyǒu), a classic metaphor for "weeds" or "useless people" that resemble good grain but produce nothing..

The Erya The oldest surviving Chinese dictionary and encyclopedia, dating back over two millennia. mentions the terms tí and dié; the commentary explains these are varieties that resemble barnyard millet but grow low to the ground as a "foul weed." Furthermore, an ancient poem says, "The reeds and the millet lean upon one another." Thus, we can distinguish that the tí variety is the barnyard millet of the dry lands, while the standard variety is the millet of the marshes. The Complete Treatise on Agricultural Administration original: "農政全書" (Nongzheng Quanshu), a monumental 17th-century agricultural manual by Xu Guangqi. earnestly encourages the planting of barnyard millet as a precaution against unforeseen disasters. Such foresight truly reflects the compassionate heart of a benevolent person!