lo Nov., 1911.] 



The Broom Fibre Industry 



775 



as one sample. Plate No- 6 shows bad samples of fibre; C has a bad 

 coarse stalk in the middle, rendering it unfit for a good broom; B and 

 D can only be used for inferior brooms or whisks ; .4 and E cut a great 

 deal of w-aste ; and F is not worth harvesting, and should have been left 

 in the paddock. 



Care of the Seed. 



After threshing, the seed should be dried thoroughly. If found to 

 be heating, turn it with a shovel in order to cool it. It should then be 

 well winnowed and bagged. If stored in a dry place, it will keep for 

 years. A 4-bushel bag of seed weighs 200 lbs. and over, whilst poor 

 seed will weigh 160 lbs. or less. 



Seed Selection. 



Seed selection should l)e carried out in the field as the crop ripens. 

 Choose only those stalks which show healthy growth, with straight, fine, 

 and long fibre. Before cutting, these 

 should be allowed to ripen until the seed 

 is hard. They should then be marked 

 with a piece of red flannel to distinguish 

 them from the general crop. The varie- 

 ties which give the best results are — 

 Italian, (ireen Missnuri, and Dwarf] 

 Missouri. 



Haling. 



Though seldom clone in Victoria.] 

 each sample should be baled separately 

 The operation is performed in a bo> | 

 speciallv made for the purpose. It ha.'- 

 movable sides, and no bottom. The in- 

 side measurements are 42 in. liv 30 in., 

 the sides being 48 in. high. 



The press is idaced on level ground.] 

 with wires to the number of five placed 

 acro.ss the Ixittom. The fibre is then 

 laid lengthwise in the press, keeping the 

 ijutt to the outside and as level as pos- 

 sible. A falsi' top. with battens naile<l 

 across the top at intervals of 3 in., is 

 l)ut on, battens downwards, and a lever or screw press applied. This can be 

 ])ut down twice or three times, refdling the l)Ox until a bale containing 250 

 lbs. is made. The sides are then taken awa\ . the pressure on the lid being 

 maintained. The wires are br.iught up and put through beside the i)attens 

 and tied. After removing th<' lid the bale is lolleil i\\\\. In addition to the 

 Ixxly wires, it is wise to ]nit a wire from vw\ to end <it the bale, if the 

 fibre has to be sent any great distamc, especially bv rail. Slats are some- 

 times u.sed on cacii edge of the bale, but the cnstcan is rarr in tli's State. 

 Plate No. 7 shows an average bale of rather shori fibre. 



Commercial Returns. 



The amount of marketable fibre taken from an acre is from 7 to 10 cwt., 

 the value ranging fn^m ;^2o to J[^}^^ per ton. 'I'aking tlie vieUI of fil)re at 



AVEr^AGE W.W.Y. OV RAIIIKK 

 .SHORT FIBRE. 



