The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-01-11
THE BROOM CORN INDUSTRY
Bulletin GIvinR Advice 10
Prospective Growers.

ST. Louis, Jan. Ga special TO the
Globe-Drmocrat from urbana, H.,
says:
The extremely high price OF broom
corn has aroused public interest In
this crop To- such an extent that the
department of agronomy OF the Uni.
versity of Illinois Is preparing a bul-
letin upon broom corn raising as u
suitable industry for Illinois farmers.
Among the facts that will be brought
out. and the conclusions reached, ths
following arc some Of the most inn
POrtAnt:
Broom corn is a close relative OF Indian
corn. and tlourisheE under the same con-
ditlonS. Illinois, therefore. H. well adapted
10 the production OF the crop, especially
through the middle portion of the state
The preparation OF the ground and the
iy done.
To produce ton OF broom corn undrr
fair conditions requires about three acres
OF land. The cozt Of production under the
best conditions Is 80 per ton, and the aver.
age selling price IL SO per ton. though Il
has sold az low as 80; The crop requires
threahinE gang numbering not less than
twenty, and the harvesting season at.
tFseta 10 the community as laborefs or
camp followers swarm OF most undealr-
Ths business requires special outfit OF
tools and sheds, costing $500 10 gieQ. that
are to little or no value for other purposes.
The crop, at best, is precarious one that
may be ruined by y few days OF had
weather. and Its successful growth and
harvesting requires . high degree OF
knowiedgc and special skill,
n
about moo tons. and there can be no
sudden increase because u is used for but
one purpose, This 5000 tons Is produced
townships OF land. Two-thirds OF the
broom corn OF the world IL grown IN four
oountiea In Illinois, viz, Douglas, Coles,
Muuitrte and Edgar, with Arcola an tho
most important shipping point. In favor
able years theae counties have produced
zS.epo tons. or practically the worlds sup
ply. The territory and the men already
engaged 10 broom corn growing, could
easily double the present production "
warranted by the demand.
The present price 10 the reaiiit, neither
of an unprecedented demand. nor OF "A
short crop. but of q alight Increase In the
activity Ia a limited industry, giving rise
10 peculiar market conditions. The grower
has not realized these prices nor could
crop was practically out OF the hands OF
the producer
Attracted by large quotations. many
NuNfEEH VIII FlHFfh EAftUhIfEfF NhtR cunning
year: the result will he an enormous over
production OF brush. much of which will
be Of an inferior grade. The production
Of broom corn is. ard Will always be, \
little industry, because the demand II not
only limited, bur small. Isolated indi-
vIsuair and those remote from recognized
methods are at a serious diaadvantHNe IN
THAR efforts to raise a crop. and should
they fall In the cndrnvot their loss is
certain 10 be considerable.
The university t. interested IN the "a
tension OF every Industry quilted 20 Illinois
conditions. and that win Diversity the
agriculture Of the state, but u realizes
that any considerable ard sudden Increase
In once that calls tor special kBowledgr.
ard for which the demand 10 limited. Ia
certain 20 result In iosx 10 the individual,
and In serious damage to industry.
This II not a favorable year TO embark
In the business for the frat time, aud the
prospective grower should viett the broom
corn district and make careful study of
the conditions before deciding 60 80 into
he Industry even on small scale,