JO Nov. 



T lie Broom Fibre Industry. 



771 



thick side, an extra harrowing can be given, always working across tlie 

 drills. Until the crop is 6 or 7 ft. high, it will be necessary to use a 

 Planet Jr. horse hoe between the rows to kee^i down the weeds and to 

 keep the .soil loose on the surface. 



Where irrigation is practised, two applications of water should suffice; 

 one \vhen the crop is about 12 in. high, and another just after the last 

 hoeing. 



Sheds. 

 Sheds for drying can be built of bush timber ; provided the roof is 

 watertight, any material will suffice. Plenty of ventilation is an essential, 

 especially under the eaves and gable ends so as to allow the moist air 

 every opportunity of escaping freely. Doors at each end, and sides that 

 can be easily opened up, will be found advantageous, so that the air can 

 be admitted from whichever side the wind is coming;. 



2. DRYING .SHED. 



'i"he quicker the curing process, the better the sample of fibre, so far 

 as colour is concerned. The green colour is fixed by fast drving, whereas 

 a slow process aflmits of bleaching, which is not desirable. 



The floors of the shed can Ix* from 2 to 4 ft. apart, one above the 

 other. The former distance economizes the space where shed rooui is not 

 ■-il)undnnt. The 4-ft. hcighl. however, admits of easier working. 



Harvesting. 



.A cTfip i)lanted the fust week in Noveinl)ei wdl generally lie readv to 

 harvest in March and .April. The stage at which fibre is cut is important. 

 It should commenie directly the seed V)egins to harden, as it is advisable 

 to have the green colour kept in the fibre. This gives it a greater value. 



