The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-04-11
9LANT III laooM eoRN sEEo
(8y 0. 3 Lewis oklshoms cisy. Ok

While it is conceded that oklahoma
leads IN the quantity produced. the
deplorable fact remains that the man.
u%facturers are forced to roly upon
central illinois and Kansas for quality.
The average farmer-infuenced per.
haps by the price his neighbor re.
ceived for his brush-decides to plant
some broomcorn without giving the
matter further consideration. he goes
to the nearest baler and p%rocures sew.
eral sacks of trash and infertile seed
that was thrashed from his neighbours
last years crop This done, he pro.
ceeds to set apart a few acres of land
perhaps a last years corn field vet
covered with stalks-and. after pillow.
ing It once, plants It to broom corn
CD and awaits results. Under the
most favorable conditions o than
half a stand could not be expected.
and II the soil should be too cold the
small percentage Of fertile seed OBJ
tanned in the trash" planted would
not terminate; the results being dis.
couraging and should be.
Some Timely Suggestions.
Having decided on the type best
adapted to your soil, the next step
should be to procure seed of the var
iety wanted-and right here l 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 a pair Of broken-down TEN.
nessee ridge-rooters, would you?
Well, it is as well within the realms
of possibilities to do this as it is to
produce a good quality of brush from
poor seed.
The preparation of the soil and 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 to clear the field Of all
stalks, sticks and other distractions.
as these viii greatly interfere with
cultivation if 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 it is con.
sided advisable to harrow the field
.lengthWise the rows to prevent weeds
a start. Cultivation at fire.
quent intervals is n~eccassry untl the
plants have attained a 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
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. It follows that broomcorn
raised for seed should be entirely
separate because you cannot raise
10th seed and brush on the same
stalk.
When broomcorn is ready for har
yesting it should be given immediate
attention, as a delay of two or three
lays may cause damage that would
decrease the value SO per cent Anoth.
sr common cause Of loss to the raiser
# broomcorn is brought about
through ricking the brush in the field
70 do this is in the humble opinion
II the writer, to invite serious results,
is broomcorn thus handled is almost
.ure to heat especially so if there be
my moisture. The heat thus general.
d destroys flexibility Of the fiber,
.endering it brittle and discoloring it
o such an extent that no amount Of
treating" will restore its natural
olor. The manufacturer can use
brush only in the very cheapest
rade Of brooms, therefore it does
lot command a good price.
Warm, dry weather should prevail
It harvest time (and in this locality
does) otherwise extreme eau,
ion must be used. Conditions being
avorable brush may be gathered,
laced in small piles and left in the
ield tw~enty-four to f~orty-eight hours,
e which time it should be tHken
irectly to the seeder and seeded
WE'LL It should then be placed in
he curing shed on the shelves pro
ided for that purpose, and when
thoroughly cured should be wen and