The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1909-08-05

desired quality IL is necessary to har-
vest just as the plants are coming into
full bloom. IT the crop is ellowed to
remain on the stalk for a longer per-
iod than this and moist weather oc-
ours, then the heads which remain en-
closed within the leaf sheaf will have a
tendency to turn red Plant lice also
work on such heads and may bring
about a reduction in the quality of
brush. Over-ripeness and exposure to
the hot sun will discolor the straw 4,
thus it is absolutely necessary that the
crop be harvested at time when the
heads are prime in quality.
Broom corn is usually pulled and
piled in small lunches along the row
Brush from two or four rows may be
placed together These small piles are
left in the fields for few days until
they are partially dry and then they
are gathered up and put in small ricks
where they stand until all the crop is
harvested. Since the standard va
rieties produce tall stalks. it is neces-
sary to handle them in a slightly diff
ferent manner from the dwarf types
The tall stalks are broken at distance
of two or more feet from the ground
and two rows are brought together in
V-shaped form; the heads are then
pulled, placed upon the table and re-
main in this position until partially
cured. Within a few weeks after the
first crop of heads have been taken
from the field. a second crop may be
secured. The material is usually light,
is inferior in quality, and as the straw
is short, many of the heads often con-
tain large central stem. Heavy dews
or a rain on the straw while it is in the
field bleaches the brush and reduces
the market value of the crop very ma.
terially. In order to overcome this
difficulty many farmers provide them
selves with large sheds in which the
brush is stored for curing. Where
these sheds are available, the brush is
pulled and taken directly to the stor.
age room. where it is spread out in
thin layers on suitable shelves arrang.
ed for this purpose. Within month
or six weeks the crop may be threshed
or seeded, and the brush is put into
bales which weigh from 250 to 300
pounds. The baled brush is marketed
in autumn or early winter.
The quality of the broom corn pro-
duced in Oklahoma at the present time
is rather inferior, consequently the
growers profits are not nearly as high
as they should be. The selection OF
good seed from desirable heads will
assist in bringing about decided i'm
provement. This work should be done
in the autumn. In selecting the seed
special attention should be given to
the quality or character of the straw.
Individual plants whice have a large
central stem or stalk running nearly
full leogth of the straw should be dis
carded. Large. coarse or kinky straw
is also Objectionable. The grower
ougho to acquaint himself with the
market requirements in the case of
this crop and the heads which come up
to the standard should be selected for
planting the seed patch next year. Two
classes Of broom corn are grown in Ok
lahoma-the stannard and dwarf The
dwarf vartics are more suitable for
average conditions, and they are prob
ably grown more extensively than the
types belonging to the former group.
Since broom corn should be pulled be-
fore the seed natures every grower
should set aside small plat for the
production of his seed After the first
season, choice heads can be selected
for planting the plat next year, and the
remaining portion of the seed from this
plat can be used for the commercial
field. BY adopting this method the
quality of the brush can be improved
from year to year. Inasmuch as broom
corn crosses readily with other plant
which belong to the class, the seed
plat should be well protected. A good
grade of brush comes or may be had
only through careful selection. The
leed plat may also afford an opportu-
nifty for testing the productive capac-
ity of various types, and will enable
the grower to single out those strains
which have outstanding features. Bet
ter cultivation will undoubtedly add to
our output brush a systematic plan
of seed selection will surely improve
the quality of our broom corn.--L. A.
MooREHousE and ]. A. RArcLIrF, Still
water, Okla.