The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1912-04-25
PLANT PURE BROOM CORN SEED
icy o. Z. Lewis, Oklahoma city oK)

leads IN the quantity produced, the
deplorahle fact remains that the man
ufacturcrs are forced 20 rely upon
central Illinois and Kansas for quality
The average farmerinfluenced per
haps by the price his neighbor re
csived for his brush-decides 10 plant
some broomcorn Without giving the
matter further consideration, he goes
to the nearest baler and procures sew.
eral sacks OF trash and infeEule seed
that was thrashed from his neighbor's
last years crop. This done, he pro
ceeds to set apart a few acres OF land
perhaps a last years corn field yet
covered with stalks-and, after plow.
ing II once, plants II to broom corn
GU and awaits results. Under the
most favorable conditions more than
I half stand could not be expected,
and II the soil should be too cold the
small percentage OF fertile seed o.
tanned in the trash" planted would
not germinate; the resuEs being dis.
couraging and should be
Some Timely Suggestions.
Having decided on the type best
/ adapted 10 your soil, the next step
/ should be to procure seed of the var.
iety wanted-and right here wish to
say that too much stress cannot be
laid on the Importance OF planting
PURE seed, as this is the prime re.
quisite You would not expect to
raise thoroughbred Poland China
from pair of broken-down Ten.
nessee ridge-rooters, would you?
Well, It is as well within the realms
of possibilities to do this as 1t is to
produce good quality OF brush from
poor seed
The preparation Of the soil aud the
time for planting should now claim
your attention. Next in Importance
to good seed is getting the soil in
proper condition to receive them.
Needs Frequent Cultivation.
The first step in this direction
should be 20 clear the field of all
stalks, sticks and other obstructions,
as these will greatly interfere with
cultivation IL not removed
Before breaking the field should be
disked both ways. This. when turned
under. forms a loose bed which con-
serves moisture and favors the rapid
root growth OF the young plants,
which is very essential When the
plants are just coming up 1t is con-
sided advisable to harrow the field
| lengthwise the rows 10 prevent weeds
getting a start. Cultivation at fire.
quent intervals is neccassry until the
plants have attained height OF
twelve or fourteen inches, at which
time they will grow rapidly and
thrive with the same cultivation as
does Indian corn. Level culture
! Chat is, no banking the soil to the
plants) seems to be most satisfactory.
and is therefore recommended.
Give Immediate Attention.
Another fact that should ever be
borne in mind is that broomcorn that
has stood in the field until the seed
matured does not bring the top mar.
ket price. 1t follows that broomcorn
raised for seed should be entirely
separate because you cannot raise
both seed and brush on the same
stalk.
When broomcorn is ready for har.
vesting 1t should be given immediate
attention, as delay OF two or three
days may cause damage that would
decrease the value 30 per cent Anoth.
er common cause OF loss 10 the raiser
of broomcorn is brought about
through ricking the brush in the field
To do this is in the humble opinion
OF the writer, TO invite serious results,
as broomcorn thus handled Is almost
sure to heat especially so II there be
any moisture The heat thus general
ed destroys flexibility OF the fiber.
rendering 1t brittle and discoloring il
TO such an extent that no amount of
Treating" will restore its natural
color. The manufacturer can use
this brush only in the very cheapest
grade OF brooms, therefore II does
not command a good price.
Warm. dry weather should prevail
at harvest time (and in this locality
usually doe7l otherwise extreme eau
tion must be used. Conditions being
favorable brush may be gathered,
placed in small piles and left in the
field twenty-four 10 forty-eIght hours,
at which time It should be Taken
directly 20 the seeder and seeded
WELL II should then be placed in
the curing shed on the shelves pro
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