MISCELLANEOUS CROl'S. 1<J9 



put it two or three inches deep, and as it becomes partly dried 

 it can be condensed, and the racks filled to a greater depth. 



In scraping the crooked brush should be separated from the 

 remainder, as if it is mixed through with the good the price of 

 the entire lot will be decreased. If one is growing but a few 

 tons it can be marketed in bundles, but it is a decided advantage 

 to bale it. Any hay or cotton-press can be used for the purpose, 

 and, where the crop is small, any one with mechanical skill can 

 devise a press that will answer. . The standard size for a bale is 

 three feet ten inches long, two feet wide, and thirty inches deep. 

 The bale is secured with four or five wires, that known as No. 9 

 fence-wire being suitable for the purpose. Such a bale will 

 weigh about three hundred pounds. All crooked brush should 

 be baled by itself, and pains should be taken to have the bales 

 present a good appearance, with the butts even, and nice straight 

 brush used for the outside. Above all, have the bale strong and 

 well secured, so that it will not become rickety in handling. It 

 will pay to secure the services of an expert till you learn how 

 it is done. 



I would advise that the inexperienced farmer who wishes to 

 grow broom-corn begin on a small scale till he gains some knowl- 

 edge of the business. A crop of say ten acres can be cured in 

 an ordinary barn, and, after learning how to handle the crop, a 

 larger area can be devoted to it, if desirable. I would not burn 

 the stalks, but would harrow them down when dry with a heavy 

 harrow, and turn them under with a three-horse plow, with a 

 rolling cutter and weed-hook. It will often pay to cut and draw 

 several acres of them to the barn-yard. They can be cut with 

 the mowing-machine if the ground is level, but, even if cut with 

 u brush-scythe, it is not expensive. 



Making Brooms. Although the manufacture of brooms 

 is a separate business from growing the crop, it is largely carried 

 on by farmers, and as it does not require expensive machinery 

 or much mechanical skill, and furnishes lucrative employment 

 in-doors for the winter season, it is well suited to small farmers, 

 who keep but little stock and so have some months in winter 

 that can be spared from the labor of the farm. All the 



