The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-05-13
Raising BrOom-C0rn

A Central Iowa correspondent asks if
it will pay him to raise broom-corn, and
how to do it; and we answer: Whether
twill pay you we cannot tell; but, if you
have good, rich land, such as will pro-
duce fifty bushels of Indian corn per
acre, you need have no difficulty in rails.
ing good broom corn.
The cultivation of broom corn requires
the expenditure of considerable labor
the seed is often slow in terminating,
and, if the land is weedy, considerable
trouble is experienced in clearing the
crop.
The seed is sown in various ways
sometimes by removing all the hoes of .
wheatdrill except those that will bring
the rows about three feet four inches
apart; sometimes the seed is sown with
one of the large Albany garden-drills
and sometimes with corn-planter. The
latter plan, however, leaves the rows too
far apart, unless the planter is made es-
pecially for the purpose. However sown,
it is necessary that the rows be perfectly
straight, and at equal distance apart
Drill plenty of seed, and thin to one or
two inches in the drill The richer the
land and the thicker the stand, the finer
the brush.
AS soon as you can see the young
plants, 60 over with sharp harrow, with
teeth enough raised up so that the corn
will not he injured. We have known
land to be entirely free from trash COM
p}etely narrowed before the seed ger
minated. to free it from weeds just
started. Scrape the drills with sharp
iron, thinning the plants to the required
stand. Then cultivate with common
walking cultivator, having narrow bull
| tongue teeth in front, as directed some
time since for corn. Work industriously
while the corn is young, and until the
crop is three feet high, or until it begins
to show signs of running to head. After
this time cultivation tends to make the
brush coarse.
When the seed is in the milk and before
it hardens is the proper time for cutting,
for then the brush is tough and has the
best color. Every day it 10 kept after
this Injuries the produce.
To prepare for cutting it must be
tabled, that is, bent over and crossed, 50
that it will form tables about knee-high
for holding the brush. This being done,
with a keen, thin knife cut the brush
leaving stalk attached six or seven
inches in length, and lay them evenly on
the table for day to dry-the seed-enda
all one way.
When the brush has had the sun one
day haul to the machine, scrape the seed
of, and carry to the shed, arranged with
! scaffoldings of poles for drying, spread
ing it almost two inches thick. When
thoroughly dy and properly cured it is
ready Tor baling and market.
If you have had no experience in the
cultivation of this crop the probability il
you will fail. Those who make the most
money from this crop raise large fields
The cultivation requires considerable
| help, and that just at the ight time; &
machine for scraping the seed, sheds fol
dying the brush and a press for baling
A knowledge also is required Of the
proper time to handle the crop, ant
other technical knowledge. which if yot
do not possess you had better hire som'
one who does before undertaking it
culture. Farm and Garden" in Chicag
| Tribune