Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-03-26
.fm tie farrner.
From the Germantown Telegraph
CULTIVATION OF BROOM CORN.

FRIEND FREAs:-As thee s~olicits some
notes of experience in the matter of rails.
ing broom corn, thee viii no doubt be fur
nished with numerous statements. | how
ever, will pen q few remarks upon the
subject.
In the first place I should say, select a
good open fallow of light and sandy soil (;
double furrow this, at about 3 feet or 4
feet apart; roll it with a pretty heavy roll
er. Having prepared the seed, by running
it through athreshing machine or smut
mill, and cleaned so as entirely 10 sepa-
rate the seeds-then with a broom corn
drill, deposit just two quarts of this pure
seed 10 the acre.
Indian corn should be planted about the
10th of the 9Th mo-, but broom corn will
not endure as much cold as Indian corn,
and therefore should moi be planted as ear
ly by two or three weeks. Broom corn
is of slower growth, arising from the decay
of the tap root, and it requires warm
weather for the lateral roots 10 FORM
Like Indian corn it will pay well for COM
posting and good cultivation. When it
shoots for head the stalk should be bent,
just above the upper joint, so as not TO
leave a joint with the "whisk." The
bending should be repeated at intervals
of about five days, but if the weather is
wet, %oftener. As to the time Of cutiina-
il should clear the first frost;; cut the stalks
to lay the whisk on to dry-put about
four double armsful 10 a heap at night,
and cover it with stalks so as 10 form a
covering something like the old fashioned
barrack roof. 1t should be spread on
during the day time if clear; after it is
quite dry ii may be put up in larger heaps
and covered securely (leaving the seed
end open,) and left until cool weather.
then strip and comb it, and it is ready
for sale or making up. The seed is val
liable for sheep and fowls, and will bring
about one cent a pound. Some prefer
not bending, as it ripens the seed
thing better, but more of the whisk grows
crooked.
| had an opportunity of observing the
growth, &C., ola crop of broom corn, the
last summer, which was planted the 10Th
of the 9Th mo-, after a crop of grass had
been mown off. 1t was on sandy soil,
and it seemed TO grow without Interrupt
ton, until it reached a great height, and
was one of The best crops | ever saw
The owner did not approve ofthe bending,
but at my instance he bent a part Of II,
and | am satisfied that if he had a less
valuable yield Of seed, it was more than
made up to him in the condition of the
Hhisk.
1t is thought by some that a crop Of
broom corn impoverishes the ground so
that it will not answer TO plant it on the
sans ground the second year; but with a
coat compost scattered between the rows
Of old roots and then double-furrowed or
ridged, it makes ihe least trouble in put
ting in-ihen at leisure the old rows can
be torn up and dressing pursued as usual.
When this is carefully done, there is little
doub; of a fair crop the second year.
If any ofthe foregoingshould be thought
worthy Of publishing, ii is at thy service,
and | hope it may have atendencyAo pro-
mote the culture of this crop, which is by
no means unworthy the attention of the
general farmer. Respectfully thy frieni,
BYBERRY, Sd mo. I, 1855 NJ.