The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-06-17
BROOM Corn...Its Culture.

GOTH. WIFI w HUI IL Will hOb IL -
native of India, and was first grown III
this country. it is said, by Benjamin
Franklin, who, while examining the
whisk in the possession of lady in Phil
adelphia, that had been imported as a
curiosity, found seed upon it that he
planted, and from the result of this ex-
pertinent came the culture of broom corn
in America, which has reached large pro-
portions. ..... ....... :,
Broom corn demands first-rate soil.
such as would give forty or fifty bushels
of maize on an acre with ordinary cult
ure, and this needs to be thoroughly
plowed and disintegrated. 1t is planted
in spring, about the same time as maize,
in hills, or as is more generally practiced,
in drills. To prepare the seed for plant
ing, take an old milk pan, in the bottom
of which punch holes little larger than
the largest seeds. Rub the seeds on the
bottom of the pan and through these
holes. This will clean them so that they
will work better in drill, and can be
more easily spread and separated If
planted by hand. The rows should be
three or three and half feet apart, and
the stalks thinned to six inches. Its cal
tivation should be much like maize; he
weeds about the stalks require to be talen
out by hand, while those between he
rows can be disposed of by the cultiyaor,
which should be frequently uscy A.
When the seeds approach msturty-
that is, when the heads are veil filled,
but not ripe-the tops are be1t down or
Topped, and remain so until the time OF
cutting. This is done that the brush
may be straight. If allowed to remain
erect, the weight of the eed bends down
the brush and spreads itso that it is not
in good form for broom' when cut This
looping is quickly dom by man who
walks beneath the rows and bends all
the tops inward. The, are allowed to
remain in this condition until ripe, but
not dry, when the brsh is cut with
about six or eight incbs of the stalk at
tached, and taken Immediately under
shelter, as it should MT be permitted to
dry in the sun, and rim or dew is likely
to discolor it. The Rush is sometimes
cured with the seed adhering, but it is
usually thought bes to clean it off as
soon as convenient fter cutting, as not
only is the brush worth more, but the
seed can be bitter taken care
of. 1t requires close attention to
prevent heating. Sometimes it is cured
in the sun. Some prefer spreading it on
a floor, but when cured in this way it
must be frequently stirred. For some
purposes the brush is cut when the seed
is quite green, so green that it will not
cure at all, but can only be kept from
spelling while it is being fed out as hay;
but the ripened seed can be kept in the
same way as oats, and by some are con-
sidered equal to oats for feeding to
horses, sheep or poultry; but this we
think an exaggerated notion. Its pro-
duction for an acre will be about the
same as that of maize, under the same
circumstances. Clearing the seed from
the brush is attended with good deal
of labor, but the machines now in use
have reduced it much in comparison
with what it formerly was when only
done by hand. Our first experience in
that work was done on continuance
that brought two bits of iron nSax to-
gether, one over and one under the
brush, and between which it was rereat-
eddy drawn until the seed was stripped
OLA dusty, disagreeable way, butstill
better than that which preceded it when
the seed was scraped off with knife. 1t
will be apparent that the brush should
be cured in such position as will tend to
keep it straight, that being one of the
features that determines its market value.
The stalks Of broom corn are of little
value. After cutting the brush, if cattle
are turned into the field they will forage
little on the few leaves, but the stems
themselves will be left untouched Some
times they are gathered and made to
serve purpose about the barnyard as
coverings for the manure heap, littering
or mulching for certain places, but it IS
doubtful if they are worth the trouble.
For manure they are almost worthless.
and probably the best way is to let them
stand until they are thoroughly dry, and
then cut, pile and burn them in the field
In former years central New York was
known as the great broom corn growing
region, but as the great West was opened
1t was found that the rich soil of the
prairies produced crops at cost with
which New York could scarcely compete.
The amount of brush to be obtained
from an acre varies greatly, depending
on the various conditions of soil, season,
cultivation, ETC., but may be put at about
ooo pounds as an average. although twice
that amount is not an uncommon Weld.
There are different varieties. the differ.
ence appearing in the size, length and
color OF the brush. one seeming best
adapted to certain localities, while in
others another flourishes. With this, as
with any other crop, it is best to be GOV.
erned somewhat by the experience Of
neighbors, while at the same time it is not
unwise to experiment little for ones
self, as the best results mayno have been
realized. 1850
Following the raising of broom corn
in this country came the manufacture Of
brooms, an industry that has now at.
tanned large proportions. The first
American broom mandatory of which
we have record was that of Ben;on,;r
Atkinson, ByberrF, New Jersey, in 700
After few years he enlarged the bnsi
ness, and took as partner Bezaleel (,roa :
dale. They seem to have had controI q
the trade for twenty years or So sun
plying the markets of the principalc;t;as
The brooms they made We're round th,
Hat ones not coming into use until NJ q =,
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