The Cedar County advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1856, 1854-06-10
A4AHDyHTYAAhv


Cultivation sf Brssm-CorB.
Though unable to reply definitely to al
the inquiries Of Mr.. Knapp, relative I,
the cultivation of Broom Corn, we cat
give few particulars. Some five year.
SINCE, while passing thu ough the Mohawl
Valley, we saw many considerable field.
Of this corn, and CLEANED the following
items in regard to its culture and uses -
The Broom Corn Of tina, region is gen
orally grown upon the fats of the river
which are overlooked every winter OF
spring, and thus kept in high state oil
fertility. The ground is usually drained
At least with open drains, SO that the wa.
ter may pass off readily. and as soon il
the spring as the state Of the ground will
admit, it is plowed and planted. The
latter operation is performed with seed
planter, or drill, in rows about three and
ole-half feet apart. Some seasons, it is
delayed by unfavorable as late as the frs,
week in June. As soon as the corn il
fairly up, it is hoed, and soon after thin.
ned so as to leave the stalks two or three
inches apart in the row. If only hoed
along the rows, the remaining surface is
kept clean by the frequent use of the cul.
tvator, and the working finished by run
ming shovel or double mould board pillow
rather shallow between the rows.
It was formerly the practice to let the
broom-corn stand until quite ripe, and
also to break down the tops and let them
hang for some weeks, so that the brush
might straigh,en evenly. Nov the tops
are Topped while the brush is quite green
and the seed is yet in the milk, and then
cut down by second set Of hands, while
third loads them into wagons aud takes
them to the factory, which is generally
carried on by those who grow much
broom-corn. These then are paleeled
into sorts Of equal length, and the seed
taken off by haicheling machine, car
ried BY water, steam, or horse power. -
1t is then spread thin on racks under shell
ter, and will dry in about week, 80 that
il may be packed in bulk.
Tue stalks are five or six feet high af-
ter the brush is cut off and are generally
left on the field to be plowed in the sue
ceeding spring. 1t is said that the stalks
are full Of leaves which are very nutri-
tive, and in case Of need, would furnish
a large amount Of good food for cattle. -
They can be cut and dried for winter, or
eaten green by stock on the grouud.--
The seed is used as food for fowls, and
as food for stock.
We hope the call for information will
receive full and prompt answer-we have
no doubt Of the profitable nature of the
crop. - Rural hep Yorker.
FIELD BEANS PROFITABLE CROP
la our own experience we have found no
crop more profitable, than the common
white field been. IL requires little more
care than corn on the right kind of soil
], IS quite productive and almost always
hnds ready market at nigh prices.
There is no product oil the soil which con-
aims as much nourishment, pound for
pound, as this. The straw makes excel
ent winter feed for sheep. We have
ound the smaller kinds to be superior to
hese Of larger size.
Beans require dry, parna SOIL We
nave raised them where it was so dry
Ind sandy that scarcely anything else
would grow. Our best bean crops have
,een upon thin sandy soil, so filled with
.cacs :ha; il was exceedingly difficult to
,low il al all, and where the earth over
he limestone rocks was nowhere more
han four to six inches deep. On one
ere Of such ground we planted the COM
non white bean for ten years success
vely, and never failed Of getting a re.
nuneraiive crop, and often had very
one. This plot was piowed,
,lan,ed and hoed, at odd spells, when j,
vas SO wet that no other could be work
.7gricultur,st.
"NurMEGs."- "On our return 10 the
hip. We visited nutmeg plantation.-
he trees, which are from twenty TO thir-
Y fee, in height, are planted in rows, al
atervals Of abou. twelve feet. The leaf
> dark, green and glossy, resembling
nat Of the laurel, and the fruit a, little |
istance, might be taken for small rus
el colored apple. When ripe, the. thi.k |
usk splits In the centre, showing scar
ct net work OF mace, enyeloplng an inner
tut, black as ebony, the kernel 0, which
5 the nutmeg Of commerce. The Glove
rec, not now Ia its bearing season, has
ome resemblance to the nutmeg, but the
cal IS smaller, and the foliage more loose
Ind spreading. As we were through |
ne orchard, the warm air Of noon was
leavy with spice the rich odors - !
aaled from the trees penetrate / the frame
with sensation OF langu.d and vo.uptu-
BUS repose. Perfume became an appe-
.1se' ana the senses were drugged WITH an
overpowering feeling Of luxury. Had |
continued TO indulge ia il, | should ere
'ong have realized the sybarlte's com
Tay!oy.