196 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



standard variety. It is of large growth, on rich land often at- 

 taining a height of twelve to fifteen feet, and yielding a long, 

 fine brush, which retains its green color till the seed ripens. 



Broom-corn will do best on a warm soil, either sandy or a 

 black loam, for it is of very slow and feeble growth early in the 

 season, and on wet, cold land it will require a great deal of labor 

 to keep it clean. For the same reason I recommend that plant- 

 ing be deferred till the land and weather are warm enough to 

 give it a good start. I advise, however, that the land be plowed 

 either in the fall or early in the spring, as this will enable you 

 to get it clean and mellow before planting time. Great care 

 should be exercised to get good seed, and have it in perfect 

 condition. To secure good seed select a spot in the field on 

 which the brush is of the best quality ; leave this until the seed 

 is thoroughly ripe, then cut; carefully select the finest brush, 

 which tie in bunches, and hang in an airy place to cure. Just 

 before planting swim the seed, and reject all that floats. In 

 this way good, heavy seed that will start strong and grow vigor- 

 ously can be obtained. I have often secured less than a gallon 

 of such seed from a bushel of the ordinary sort. 



Broom-corn will bear much closer planting than Indian corn. 

 If the land is very clean the crop may be drilled, but otherwise 

 I would recommend hilling. The rows should be about three 

 feet apart, and the hills not more than two feet in the row, with 

 from six to ten stalks to a hill. In dropping use only the thumb 

 and forefinger, and you will soon learn how to drop the right 

 amount. This matter of seed, and taking pains to drop just the 

 right amount, is one of great importance, as thinning is one of 

 the slowest and hardest jobs connected with the management of 

 broom-corn. Some writers recommend a teaspoonful to the hill, 

 to allow for bad seed. It would be cheaper to pay ten dollars a 

 bushel for such seed as I recommend, as two quarts of it will be 

 sufficient for an acre, and no thinning will be necessary. If the 

 land is in such condition as it ought to be the seed can be cov- 

 ered with a light harrow or plank drag, but the covering should 

 be light not to exceed an inch. 



One favorable quality of this crop is that it may be grown 



