174 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



June 3, 1905. 



BROOM CORN IN THE WEST INDIES. 



Experiments conducted at Antigua some two or 

 three years ago by Mr. W. N. Sands, then Curator of 

 the Botanic Station, showed that broom corn could be 

 successfully grown in the West Indies. An interesting 

 paper was read by Mr. Sands at a m.^eting of the 

 Antigua Agricidtural Society, a summary of which was 

 published in the Ayi-icvUv'nd Ncicf (Vol. II, p. l-i2). 

 This paper contains useful hints as to the cultivation 

 of the corn and the preparation of brushes. Broom 

 corn has since been grown at Montserrat. 



With the view of ascertaining what demand exists 

 for broom corn in the United States and Canada, 

 inquiries were addressed by the Imperial Commissioner 

 of Agriculture to Messrs. Gillespie Bros. & Co., of New 

 York, and Mr. J. Russell Murray, of Montreal, samples 

 of broom corn, produced in Montserrat, being forwarded 

 at the same time. The report of Messrs. Gillespie Bros. 

 & Co. was to the effect that the United States produce 

 broom corn far bej'ond their own requirements and that 

 it is only in tlie event of a shortage in the crop that 

 the United States need to become buyers. It is 

 further stated : — 



The most expensive and toughest kind of broom corn is 

 that grown in Illinois, which is worth from i?90 to -SI 00 per 

 ton out there. The cheaper quality, grown in C)klahoma and 

 Kansas, can be bought at about §20 per ton on the spot, and 

 costs, laid down in New York, about 3 k. per lb. 



Broom corn is on the free list, and is therefore exempt 

 from duty on being imported into New York, but we fear 

 that the low price indicated . . . will make the business one 

 hardly likely to be profitable in the "West Indies. 



We may add that the broom corn used here is all dyed 

 of a bluish-green colour, which is regarded as necessary in 

 the trade. 



The sample corn seems to be of good 4uality and tit>re, 

 but we notice considerable stained or sweat corn, and the 

 seed would all have to be taken off at the time it was 

 harvested. It is worth about 3i-c. to 4c. per tb. in New- 

 York. These prices would be in ear-load lots. 



From Canada, however, a rather more encouraging 

 report has been received. Mr. J. Kussell Murray con- 

 siders that Canada offers a better market for this 

 product. His report is as follows : — 



The quality of the sample sent is considered very good. 

 The only feature that did not conform to what is required as 

 a commercial product was the quantity of seed that appeared 

 on several of the stems. For general commercial purpo.ses it 

 is usually considered that 90 to 9.'> per cent, of the fibre 

 must be clear of seed ; and the stalks were cut too short, it 

 being the usual practice of the trade to allow 6 to S 

 inches of stalk to remain with the head. 



As regards the trade itself, there is ample room for 

 considerable shipments to Canada direct. Canada does not 

 produce any broom corn, and it is all supi)lied from the 

 western section of the United States, and is inqiorted into 

 Canada free of duty. 



There are various grades of the product : The small 

 dwarf, which is used for liand brushes; a second grade which 

 is used for covering the brooms, and a third and coarser 

 grade which is used for making up the body of tlie brush. 

 The prices for these grades vary considerably. The finest, 

 or dwarf broems. obtain as liigli as ■J.'jc. per ti. In well 



selected dwarfs, a species of which is hereby sent by mail,, 

 please note the general fineness of the fibre, and you will 

 also note that fully 4 inches of stalk are allowed to 

 remain ; this might with advantage be extended to 5 

 inches. The next grade is what is called 'Self working.' 

 These are composed as per sample attached, and have stems 

 of fully i") to 6 inches remaining, and in the finer grades 

 7 inches are not a drawback. This class can be divided 

 into two grades — the heavy, coarse piece being valued at 

 about 'ilc. per lb., while the smaller piece is worth from 5c. 

 to 7c. per 11). But, taken as a whole, in what is contained in 

 the ' Self working ' bales, prices run about 5c. per lb. la 

 this class the entire lengths must be from 18 to 30 inches. 

 The bales are usually put up to weigh about 300 B)., and 

 are .sold on the gro.ss weight, wire bindings included. 



The third three pieces enclosed are what we call ' Red 

 tipped.' This is a species of rust, the origin of which the 

 manufacturers are unable to give any information about. 

 You will notice thnt in this lot some of the stems are 

 considerably longer, but these are all of service in 

 manufacturing. The red rust or staining is a very great 

 drawback, and all classes of stain and weather damage 

 should be most carefully avoided. In connexion with 

 faulty stems, it was pointed out to me that frequently the 

 plant was blown down in the Western States, and it finally 

 raises its head, causing the bending of the fibre. This is 

 a decided drawback, and all such should not be sliipiied, as 

 it detracts very considerably from the value of the bale in 

 which it is found. The entire trade of the broom corn seed 

 is under the influence of a trust in the United States, and 

 it is stated here that this trust has complete control of the 

 supplies during the next two years. The consumption here 

 amounts in value to several hundred thousand dollars for 

 the raw product. I will endeavour to ascertain the actual 

 importation and forward the same to you by next mail. 



Should there be any stock of this available for 

 shipment as a trial parcel, I shall be exceedingly pleased to 

 look after its interest here, as I am as.sured that I shall 

 meet with prompt purchasers as soon as it comes forward. 

 There are no duties jtayable on this product. 



A NEW CACAO DRIER IN TRINIDAD. 



The following is a description of a patent cacao- 

 drying apparatus erected by Mr. Hoadiey at Chaguanas, 

 Trinidad : — 



The cacao-drying apparatus consists of an ordinary room, 

 34 feet square, with 25 feet perforated circular drying floor, 

 upon which cacao is placed direct from the fermenting box. 

 In the centre of the drying tray is a vertical axle from which 

 project four arms which are revolved once in ten minutes. To 

 each arm are attached six ploughs, the operations of which 

 are equal to the work of twelve coolies in keeping the cacao 

 in constant motion. Hot air is generated by exhaust steam,, 

 which is passed into 1,100 feet of piping enclosed in a box, 

 over which cold air is drawn by a powerful fan which make.^i 

 from GOO to 700 revolutions per minute. The air in its 

 jjassage becomes heated to any desired point up to 150" and 

 is forced up through the drying floor. The machine will dry 

 from 12 to 15 bags of cacao in thirty to thirty -six hours> 

 The cost of installing the system is said to be between £300- 

 and £400. 



After drying, the cacao is passed through a machine 

 which clays and polishes, or merely polishes to suit the 

 markets, and thereby saves the costly process of dancing. 

 The cacao is fermented in cylindrical drums, whicli are partially 

 turned every night and morning for ten to eleven day.s. 



