The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-01
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 as near as possible destroy the weed seeds that may be in the soil, since the presence of weeds greatly interferes with the proper cultivation of the young broom corn plants and with their early growth. Sandy or even gravelly soila are we'll suited to broom corn. but they must be thoroughly drained Un- drained land not only induces an irreg- ular, slow and inferior growth but makes cultivation more difficult and . causes the red color in the brush, which may reduce it's market value $2o or $40 per ton. Uniformity of soil character, fertility and exposure, will Induce uni- formity in ripening.
 The Seed.--The peculiar growth of the seed head of broom corn is abnor- mal and artifcially developed, mainly by seed selection Its value for the manufacture of brooms is due to the characters of the panicle associated with this induced growth. That these artificially developed characters may be reproduced and improved, careful se- lection of the seed is necessary, not only for one crop, but for each crop. There is constant tendency towards reversion to undesirable form, and seed from only the most desirable in- dividua1 plants should be reserved for planting, if the grower produces his own seed. The majority, however, will purchase their seed of seedsmen. Un- fortunately the seed business affords unlimited opportunities for fraud and the purchaser can best protect himself by dealing only with firms of estab- lished and known reputation.
 If the seed are fresh and nine out of ten germinate. two or three quarts are sufficient to plant an acre, if suitable seed drill is used. If the seed are dropped by hand they are not properly distributed, there Is an unavoidable waste of seed, irregular development in the resulting crop. and increased difficulties in cultivating the young plants.
 There are two classes of broom corn grown, the dwarf and the standard. The dwarf grows four and half to six feet tall and the standard from eight to twelve feet, with longer and stronger brush than the former. These differ ences make 1t necessary that the two classes be in some respects treated differently.
 Planting.-In the Southern portion of the State planting may be done early in April, but in the extreme Northern counties it should be deferred until the first of May or later. In no case should planting begin until the soil has be- come thoroughly warm, since broom corn Is more susceptible to cold than Indian corn, and equally as susceptible as sorghum and millet. If planted too early the seed are not only liable to rot Tn the soil or germinate poorly, but the plants that do appear will be weak and the stand and growth irregular. With those having no experience with broom corn growing 1t Is preferable that they delay planting until 1t Is safe to plant cotton and cowpeas. When the young plants first come up they are slender and delicate, growing very slowly the first two or three weeks. This early slowness of growth is more marked with early planting and cool weather than with the later planting in warm weather. One of the most necessary and profitable operations in the growing of any crop consists in the thorough preparation of the soil before the crop Is planted, and this Is partic- ularly true of broom corn. Two or three cuItivations at intervals Of ten or fifteen days before planting will go a great way towards the destruction of the growths of young weeds that successively spring up as the weather becomes sufficiently warm for thelr Rermination. Each shower at this sea- son of the year will start a new crop of weeds and as soon after rain falls as the ground Is dry enough for culti- vation, the weeder, harrow, cultiVator, disc or some such surface working and weed destroying implement should go over the field with as much care and thoroughness as if the crop was al- ready growing. This preparation-cul- tivation not only destroys the first few crops of weeds but gives to the soil physical character that will manifest itself in the quick germination or the seed into strong and rapidly growing young plants, facilitating their Iuture cultivation and growth.
 Broom corn rows are usually about three and a half feet apart, though the dwarf forms may be given four or six inches less space. The distance the plants should stand in the row depends upon the fertility of the land and as to whether the dwarf or standard va rieties are grown. They should be thicker on fertile land, about rour plants to the foot for the stanoaro ana about six for the dwarf should be the distance for plants to occupy in the row for soil of medium fertility. On more fertile soil the stand may be thicker, and thinner or less fertile soil. If the crop is to be cultivated with the hoe the seed are planted In hills nI- teen to twenty inches apart with four to six stalks of standard and SIX 10 ten stalks of dwarf to the hill. A reg ular or uniform stand Is necessary to secure a uniform quality of brush. Just such quantities of seed should be sown as will give the desired stand with as little thinning as possible.
 It is necessary to have the best seed and the best preparation Tor the at- tainment of this. Corn planters with plate holes small enough for broom corn seed may be employed Tor plant ing. The seed should be covered from one-half to one inch deep, the depth depending upon the character of the soil and the quantity of moisture in the soil at the time of planting. If the soil is dry when the seed are sown they should be covered deeper than would be necessary if the soil was in good moist condition. Paintings made late in May or in June should be made deeper than those made early in May or in April. Rolling the soil as the seed are planted will insure more prompt germination and better stand. This is particularly true when the soil is dry at seeding time Should heavy rain occur before the seed have ger minated the field should be gone over broadcast with e weeder or harrow as soon as the soil will admit This pre- vents the formation of a crust ana hastens the germination of the seed.
 Maturing and Fertilizing.-As to whether fertilizing broom corn will or will not pay is a matter to be deter mnied by each grower after careful examination into the characters and condition of the soil. Where cotton seed meal may be cheaply procured 1t will be an appropriate and desirable fertilizer. An application of from 200 to 400 pounds of cotton seed meal in tha dPfIi before planting, or of seventy