The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1909-04-29
Press Bulletin, Number l67
Cultivation of Broom Corn

protection against weeds, and will as
sist In conserving the stores of mois-
ture. Later in the season the soil may |
be stirred with a one-horse, five-tooth |
This practice is not COM
mon in broom corn sections, but it is
practice which has often been adopted
by some in cultivating Indian corn,
and it ought to give equally good re-
suits in broom corn culture.
Quality of Brush-The market de-
mands brush Of fresh green color
hence the heads should be free from
red stains or other color. In order to
secure brush of the desired quality it
Is necessary to harvest just as the plant
IL coming into full bloom. II the crop
IL allowed to remain on the stalk for
longer period than this, and moist
weather occurs, then the heads which
remain enclosed within the leaf sheath
will have tendency to turn red. Plant
lice also work on such heads and may
bring about reduction in the quality
of brush. Over-ripeness and exposure
to the hot sun will discolor the straw !;
thus it is absolutely necessary that the
crop be harvested at time when the
heads are prime in quality.
Harvesting-Broom corn is usually
pulled and piled in small lunches
along the row. Brush from two to four
rows may be placed together. These
small piles are left in the field 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 varie-
ties produce tall stalks, it is necessary
to handle them in q slightly different
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 "
shaped form the heads are then pull
ed, placed upon the table and remain
in this position until partially cured
| Within few weeks after the first crop
of heads have been taken from the
field, second crop may be secured
This material is usually light is infer
{ ior in quality, and as the straw is short
many of the heads often contain q
large central stem. Heavy dews or rain
on the straw while in the field bleaches
the brush and reduces the market val
ue of the crop very materially. In or
der to overcome this difficulty many
farmers provide themselves with large
sheds in which the brush is stored for
curing. Where these sheds are avail
able, the brush is pulled and taken di-
rectly to the storage room, where 1t
is spread out in thin layers on suitable
shelves arranged for this purpose
Within month or six weeks the crop
may be threshed or seeded and the
brush is put in bales which weigh from
$50 to 300 pounds. The baled brush il
marketed in the autumn or early win.
| ter.
Marketing the Crop-The quality OF
the broom corn produced in Oklahoma
at the present time is rather inferior
consequently the growers profits are
not nearly high as they should be. The
selection of good seed from desirable
heads will assist in bringing about a
decided improvement. This work can
be done in the autumn. In selecting
the seed heads special attention should
be given to the quality or character OF
the straw. Individual plants which
have large central stem or a stalk
running nearly full length of the straw
should be discarded. Large. coarse, or
kinky straw is also Objectionable. The
grower ought to acquaint himself with
the market requirements in the case of
this crop, and 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 standard and dwarf The
dwarf varieties 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 eau be used for the commer-
cial field. BY adopting method the
quality of the brush can be improved
from year to year Inasmuch as broom
corn crosses readily with other plants
which belong To the same class, the
seed plat should be well protected. A
good grade of brush comes or may be
had only through careful selection
The seed plat may also afford an oppor.
| tnnitv for Tasting fha nraduetiva IN.