The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-08-01
A New Door to Prosperity in Florence.


about broom corn, which is that pub
lished facts regarding it appear never
to stick, so to speak, in the public
mind. Since we began, some years
ago, to advocate the cultivation and
manufacture of the plant in this State,
we have printed much matter about it
or the same matter many times re-
peated, in answer to interested in
quiries, and, usually, in about a month
or two after each such publication,
have received letter from another
regular render of the paper, politely
asking for information how to plant
and cultivate, and cure the crop, and
where it can be sold when harvested7
1t is very strange, as we do not know
of any other crop or product that is
subject to the same condition.
We received another letter about it
yesterday, which is printed to-day. An
enterprising farmer of Florence Coun-
ty, we are told, has raised good crop
OF the corn, and now wants to know
whether it is preferred green cured
er yellow and "whcre he can Ens. i
market for it9 He will make about
aalf ton on a quarter Of an acre, at q
cost of not over FIVE dollars" ahd as he
has thus demonstrated the practica-
biiity of raising the crop in his part of
the State, all his neighbors are anxious
to open new door to prosperity for
the farmers of the State. We are
asked for information on the points
noted, and are requested "to make a
suggestion" on general principles.
AS to the information that is wanted,
we have to say that it is necessary to
"cure" the corn, so as to preserve it's
green color, in order to sell it to the
best advantage, as that color is pre-
ferred for some reason. We believe
that all the brOcms imported from the
North and West are green, and our in
formation is that when the corn is
cured yellow by accident, or from cut
ting. it too late, it is dyed green to give
it the desired color. Probably it is
stronger and tougher when cured be-
fore it turns yellow, and the popular
preference for the green product is
based on experience of that fact. At
any rate, the product should be green
in color when it is prepared for market,
and our Florence friends should regu-
late their conduct accordingly in grow
ing the corn for market.
The nearest market for it that we
know of is at Charlotte, N. c., where
there is a good broom factory, and we
believe there is one at Spartanburg,
and another at Atlanta. The Florence
farmer who has crop on hand, can
certainly get all the information he
desires about curing the crop, ETC., by
writing directly to the factory at Char
lOtte.
The Charlotte Observer, also, we are
sure, will be pleased to answer all in
quiries on the subject. and we. there
fore, recommend inquiries to apply to
it without hesitation at any time.
In the way OF ''euggestiOns" we have
but two to offer. One is that, since
Mr.. Barnes has demonstrated the prac-
tlcability Of raising broom corn at q
low cost in Florence County, the Agri-
cultural Society OF the county, or some
OF the leading farmers of the county,
shOuld mako specis; study OF the
crop, with tho aid OF the special publ.
cations which they can obtain by ap-
n!vanS e eHe e,. STD. .1iI a. Department
atW ashington, and qualify themselves
to crldvete it on o considerable scale.
and with due knowledge, next year.
The other suggestion is that some Of
the progressive business men Of Flor
ence shOuld go to work at the Same
time to. organize, huild and operate q
broom factory in their fnvru fN ,nonu
facture all the product that shall be
grown in the county. 1t isnot o costly
kind OF establishment, by any means,
and>it can readily and successfully. be
operated by local labOr--even Blind
men being. able to mako first-class
brooms, while colored boys make good
operatives. With the farmers Of the
county to grow the corn, the town fac
tory TO- make it into brooms, and the
whole State for market the success
OF The new industry in the county would
appear to be we'll assured from the out
set.-Nems and Courier.