BROOM CORN. 187 



CHAPTER X. 



MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS OF CULTIVATION. 



BROOM CORN (Sorghum saccharatum). 



So far as I am acquainted with its history, this is a pro- 

 duct peculiar to America. In its early growth and general 

 appearance, it resembles Indian corn. It grows to the 

 height of ten or twelve feet, with a perfectly upright stalk, 

 from which an occasional leaf appears ; and at the top, a 

 long compact bunch of slender, graceful stems is thrown out, 

 familiarly termed the brush, which sustain the seed at and 

 near their extremities. 



Soil. The best soil for broom corn, is similar to that 

 required for Indian corn or maize. It should be rich, 

 warm, loamy land, not liable to early or late frosts. Spring 

 frosts injure broom corn more than maize, as the roots do 

 not strike so deep, nor has it the power of recovering from 

 the effects of frost equally with the latter. The best crops are 

 usually raised on a green sward, turned over as late as possi- 

 ble in the fall, to kill the worms. Clay lands are not suita- 

 ble for it. 



Manure. Horse or sheep manure is the best for this 

 plant ; and if mixed with much straw or other vegetables, 

 they should be well rotted before applying. If the land is 

 in good condition, three cords or eight to ten loads to the 

 acre, is enough for one dressing. This is usually placed in 

 hills, and 12 to 15 bushels of ashes per acre may be added 

 with great advantage. Plaster, at the rate of two to four 

 bushels per acre, is also beneficial. The addition of slacked 

 lime helps the ground, affords some food to the crop, and is 

 destructive to worms. Poudrette, at the rate of half a 

 pint to each hill at planting, or Peruvian guano at the rate 

 of a table-spoonful mixed in a compost with ten times its 

 quantity of good soil, is an excellent application, especially if 

 the land is not already rich enough. Repeating the above 

 quantities around the stalks in each hill, after the last hoemg, 

 will add materially to the crop. 



