Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-05-22

W. III. WHITE.
HARVESTING, ETC.


together about two feet from the
ground, laying the tabled portion hori-
.zoutal with the ground, some two feet
above it. Others again, let it stand as
il grows till time TO cut. and then cut
as it stands. Others still, break down
only the crooked brush, and leave the
rest till DAY or two before cutting,
whe the stalks are all broken to hang
one way, usually toward the rising
sun.
believe all are agreed that If the
stalk is bent or broken over without
entirely severins it from the root pre-
visus to mature growth, the brush will
not grow in length, but will grow coarse
and harsh. 1t 10 always an object 10
have the least possible amount OF
crooked brush, as 1t is usually coarse
and difficult to work to advantage. This
usually detracts from the value OF an
other wise desirable lot. Broom-corn
should be harvested before hard trosts,
as frost Injuries it materially; and Tor
this reason, in our northern climate, 1t
is essential to give it good early cul-
ture, to induce an early, rapid growth
aud maturity. 1t is also necessary to
LIZ We it good soil well warmed up with
| well.decomposed manure, ready to ln-
part pabulum as needed by he young
plants, which are somewhat tender.
AS good a course as any, in harvest
| inc broom corn, is, l think, to let it
grow till day or two before cutting,
which should be done when the major
part of the seed is in the dough state,
none fully hard, as then the brush is in
the best condition and will bring the
best price. if properly cured, etc. Then
table" it, which is done as above des-
cribed. After day or two. cut the
brush, using a butcher ora carving
knife, not very keen-edged, for If 1t is
not so sharp, the leaves are less likely
to be cut off and bother-some. Cut so
as to leave only six or eight inches OF
stalk below the point where diverg ence
commences, keeping clear Of all leaves,
laying the brush straight all one way !;
spread on the liable" formed by the
stalks. A good deal Of labor and veIa-
tion is saved by keeping, in every man
ipulation, the brush even and straight,
not thrown together like hay. After
lying awhile to dry somewhat, the
brush should be gathered into small
bundles and bound corn-leayes or other
tying material. 1t should then be
hauled and spread under cover on the
day 1t is cut. Thus cured it keeps q
better color, and the brush retains its
elasticity better. A greenish cast Of
color suits some markets best: this is
best attained by cutting before fully
ripe, and directly hauling it and curing
it under cover Of sheds or well-ventilat-
ed, airy buildings. 1t should be spread
on racks suitable for the purpose. These
may be set up to any convenient hight,
aad formed Of open Stats one above
another with space off foot between.
Our next step, after the brush is well
cured, 10 to dIvest it Of the seed. This
is accomplished in different ways by
different cultiyators, the method depend.
ing somewhat on thu quantity grown,
90 nveniences, etc. Some take two
pieces ofLaid-wood board, with square.
sharp edges one may be Of any desir-
ed length and fastened conveniently
edge-up and the other Of a convenient
length to hold in one hand. The brush
is taken by the stems, in the left hand,
and drawn through between the edges
of the two boards, the one IN hand be-
ling pressed on the brush, and turned a
little to allow the corners to strikt the
seed. Quite rapid work may be ac-
complishsd by an active man in this
way. Others take an iron scraper and
use 1t in similar way. Some use a
lbroOm.cOrn hatchel, which consists Of a
row Of ron teeth, three.eights by one
half an inch square, six TO eight inches
4ong. two-thrds their length beveled 10
a point, the back side thicker than the
front. Set the teeth firmly in plank,
50 that the points will be about halt al
inch apart. This can be fastened to
something firm and convenient to work
At. then draw the brush through the
comb till clean of seed.
When the quantity is large, a cylln'
der made for the purpose, some two
feet long and ten or twelve inches in
diameter, with teeth three iHches long
aud one-fourth of an inch square, point
ed and set in rows three-eights of an
inch apart in the cylinder, aud this
driven BY horses or other power, is
used and made to do rapid execution
THIS works overshot with a concave
four or more hands can work at it two
to hold the brush to the machine, while
two others prepars and hand it FOL
cleaning fifth will find full employ.
ment in taking away and binding OF
spreading again the brush after the
seed is off. If the brush is not fully
dried out, it should be again spread on
the racks to dry fully, so that it can be
pat IN bulk or bales without danger Of
heating or molding, etc. After suitable
drying, it is made into bundles of about
ten pounds, butts out and the brush
tapping. These bundles are we'll com.
pressed and firmly bound with strong
or ~skar f..irO a