THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 377 



The above description will be sufficient for any operator 

 if strictly followed. 



BROOMCORN. 



There are several varieties raised in Hampshire coun. 

 ty, Massachusetts, in the valley of the Connecticut river, 

 principally in the broad meadows of Northampton, Had- 

 ley, and Hatfield. The pine-tree kind is regarded as the 

 poorest kind, or the least advantageous for cultivation ; 

 yet, as it is the earliest, (being three weeks earlier 

 than the large kind,) in a short season, when its seeds will 

 ripen, while the seeds of the other kinds fail to ripen, this 

 may prove the most profitable crop. The North River crop 

 is ordinarily the best crop ; it is ten days earlier than the 

 large kind, and yields about 720 pounds of the brush per 

 acre the brush meaning the dried panicles, cleaned of the 

 seed, with eight or twelve inches of the stalk. The New 

 Jersey, or Large kind, yields a thousand or eleven hundred 

 pounds of brush per acre. The stalks and seeds are large. 

 In good seasons, this is the most profitable crop. There 

 is also the Shirley or black brush. Soil rich, alluvial lands 

 are best adapted for the broomcorn, more especially if 

 warmly situated, protected by hills, and well manured. 



Method of Planting. The broomcorn is planted in rows 

 about 2J or 3 feet apart, so that a horse may pass be- 

 tween them with a plough or cultivator, or harrow. The 

 hills in each row are from 18 inches to 2 feet apart, or 

 farther, according to the quality of the soil. The quan- 

 tity of seed to be planted is estimated very differently by 

 different farmers some say that half a peck is enough 

 per acre, while others plant half a bushel, and some a 

 bushel, in order to make it sure that the land shall be 

 well stocked. The rule with some is to cast a tea-spoon- 

 ful, or 30 or 40 seeds, in a hill ; the manure at the time 



