SOEGHUM. 209 



Tlie common Mohawk kind is fit to cut when the 

 tops begin to redden. The Evergreen is cnt as late 

 as the season will admit, avoiding, if possible, the 

 frost. The frost hnrts it, bleaching it, and reducing 

 the weight. If pretty well matured, and gathered 

 before the frost, this variety makes a very fine arti- 

 cle, green and elastic. The color enhances the price. 

 The best brush is green and bright, and spongy, 

 without brittleness. The evergreen is of this kind, 

 and commands two or three cents per pound more 

 in market. 



When the season arrives for gathering, the brush 

 is cut, leaving a butt or handle of about six inches 

 in length, and is laid in small heaps, followed by the 

 wagon, which carries it to the drying place, a barn 

 or building, the size agreeing to the amount 

 to be dried. It is cleared of its seed as it is 

 brought in, by a machine made for that purpose. 

 When relieved of its seed the brush is placed on 

 laths or narow boards, ranged a few inches apart, so 

 as to hold the brush, which is laid on crosswise. The 

 entire floor of the building (if a barn, bays, and sheds 

 included), is thus covered with laths and brush — the 

 brush two or three thicknesses. If laid too thick, it 

 will not readily dry, and it is necessary to have it 

 as light as possible, and free from mould. Another 

 tier is laid about ten or tw^elve inches above this, and 

 so on to the roof. Ventilation is then given by re- 

 moving boards at proper distances out of the sides of 

 of the building. The circulation of air wants to be 

 free and full. It takes about thirty days thus to 

 dry the brush, which must be seen to and turned oc- 

 casionally. When dry it is pressed — a hay press 

 answering the purpose — two rows of brush, butts 



