lo Nov.. 1911.] The Broom Fibre Itidustry. 769 



THE BROOM FIBRE INDUSTRY. 



Temfle A. J. Smith, Chief Field Officer. 



The growing of Broom Corn for the purpose of providing material for 

 the manufacturing of what are known as American House Brooms is an 

 industry capable of greater development in Victoria, and it is one that should 

 be of value to holders of small blocks of land, and particularly so where 

 irrigation is possible. Whilst it has been amply proved that the fibre, of 

 excellent quality, and yielding a good profit, can be grown in many parts 

 of Victoria, considerable quantities are imported annually from oversea, 

 and also from the neighbouring States of the Commonwealth. 



At the present time, the area under cultivation is approximately 

 450 acres. The bulk of the locally-grown fibre comes from the Ovens 

 and King River Valleys, where it is grow^n on the alluvial flats having a 

 fair rainfall, or where the land is irrigable. There are many localities 

 in other portions of the State in which the crop could be grown equally 

 well, and I believe that, were the knowledge necessary to produce the crop 

 more generally acquired, the industry would be largely increased and 

 widely distributed. 



Soils and Manures. 



Broom corn will grow well wherever maize will thrive. It is a hardier 

 crop than the latter, standing drought to a greater extent, and making 

 better growth under adverse conditions It will not stand frost and is 

 essentially a summer crop. Sandy loams and rich river flats are most 

 suitable ; stiff heavy clays are very unsuitable. Rich chocolate soils will 

 also give good crops. 



In order to get the best results, the followin^^ fertilizers should be 

 applied about four to six weeks before the s^cd is sown : — 



Superphosphate ... ... ... ... ... 100 lbs. 



Bonedust ... ... ... ... ... loo lbs. 



Sulphate of Ammoni;i ... ... ... ... 50 lbs. 



Sulphate of Potash ... ... ... ... 30 lbs. 



The cost of the whole will be, approximately, 20s. per acre. Farm- 

 yard manure, at the rate of 10 tons per acre, is especially valuable. If 

 obtainable, it should be applied in the autumn, and worked into the 

 land. 



Sowing. 



The seed should not be planted until the danger of frost is past — from 

 October to December. The land must also be well drained and in a warm 

 condition. If sown in cold wet soils, it is liable to rot and poor germina- 

 tion will result. Seeding at the rate of 4 lbs. per acre is sufficient, if 

 sown regularly ; the drills should l)e 3 ft. apart and the plants 7 to 8 in. 

 in the drills. If sown too thickly, the plants will require to be thinned 

 out, which will add at least 20s. per acre to the lalx)ur hill; the crop will 

 also suffer in both quality and yield, the broom being faulty and of smaller 

 growth. The .seed should never be sown more tlian 2 in. below the 

 surface, as the first shoot is thin and delicate and cannot force its way 

 through, if sown deeply. 



As seed is so cheap and is re(iuired in such small c|uantilies, it is 

 advisable to grade it, and to sow only heavy samples. Many growers 



