Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-02-12
Broom Corn Situation.

~SAoohA OOAu olJudJlOu.
With brooms higher than for years,
the following resume Of the broom corn
situation by Twin City Commercial
ulletin in interesting:
1T the S0,000,000 Inhabitants of the
United States were divided into families
that consisted of five persons on an
average, there would be 100000
families to be supplied with brooms.
Assuming that each family would con-
sumo one broom every three months,
or four brooms a year, it would re-
quire 5,333,300 dozen to furnish this
annual demand. This, however, is not
all that is required. From the most
careful and conservative estimates for
public buildings, factories, railroads
and all general purposes as well as for
expectation, it is agreed that one-third
more, or 1,777,7O0 dozen, must be pro-
duced to supply this demand. This,
then, in round numbers, is 100000
dozen brooms required annually to sup
ply the demand upon the broom max
ing industry.
From the beginning of the broom in
dustry it has been estimated that it
required 20 pounds of broom corn to
make dozen brooms. That is, with
out doubt, too low an estimate, because
of demand in later years for heavier
article. Taking that venerable tradi-
ton, however, as a basis, shows an
annual consumption of 10000 tons.
There has not been a normal crop of
broom corn produced in this country
since 1907. In that year it was esti-
mated Oklahoma produced $4,000 tons,
Illlnn1C on 81 nr
1000 tons; total $4,000 tons; corrob-
crates with reasonable accuracy the
estimate of the annual production.
The market price of broom corn has
a wide range, depending upon supply
and demand.
A few years ago it sold as low as $50
to $40 per ton. In 1868, as a result of
famine in the crop and an inflated
currency, broom corn sold from $3.50
to $500 per ton. The range within the
past year, or until the crop harvest of
1909, has been $50 TO 500 per ton.
The latter price is considered a good
price and yields satisfactory and re-
munerative profits for its production
On that basis the value of the crop in
the United States for a productive sea
son amounts to $7,0000 900. The crop OF
1909 and the present prices can be
easily explained. For the first time il
many years there was little carried ovel
from the last crop into the present one
either in raw OF manufactured stock
The market was bare. Dealers il
anticipation of lower prices when the
new crop came in, forced their stOcl
down to the lowest condition. Okla
homa is vast territory; in prospect
a mighty state when climatic cOndi
lions are favorable and to it broom corr
men looked for a yield Of 10000 t,
$4,000 tons. Late in the month OF
August the hot winds, like the dead,
simeon, swept over the country, ans
whatever green thing it touched wa
dead. Broom corn offered most resist
ance TO the fiery heat, and farmers il
many section moved down the grow
ing crop to make feed of it for the keel
Of their stock through the winter, il
which we will soon enter. Instead o
the expected yield in Oklahoma ther
will be several hundred tons, just hol
much nobody knows, The plant Il
Illinois was injured by early rains, man
acres planted were abandoned, and Tia
tonnage per acre greatly reduced tn
fact that Kansas and Missouri durin
the past few years have practically dis
continued growing broom corn, excep
ia small areas, contributes TO the fore
! of the present situation. III Is est
mated that there is less than "a hal
crop, perhaps considerably less.
When the shortage Ia the crop of m
J present year was known, prices rapid
advanced until 5000 10 1920 per 10
was reached. Under existing condition
there, prices appear reasonable am
Legitimate II Us some satisfaction i
these times 10 know that no trust Q
syndicate has had anything 40 do 4
: manipulating the market