OTHER FARM. CROPS 655 



In tabling the operator usually walks backward between two 

 rows bending a few stalks first from one row then from the other. 

 In this way a self supporting "table" is formed from each two rows, 

 thus bringing the heads into convenient position for cutting. One 

 man can table about as fast as two can cut. Three men will "table" 

 and cut about two acres per day. 



Cutting. In cutting the operator walks along the spaces be- 

 tween the tables. A thin knife similar to a shoe knife is preferred 

 for cutting. The brush is cut off so as to leave six to eight inches 

 stalk on the brush. The sheath is not desired so it must be cut so as 

 to remain on the stalk, else it must be pulled from the brush. Leav- 

 ing more than eight inches of stem on the brush reduces the price. 

 Six inches of stem is sufficient for broom making. 



When cut the brush is laid, a handful at a time, on every other 

 table. This leaves every alternate table empty so that wagons 

 may be driven over the empty tables to gather the brush. 



Dwarf corn is rarely taller than four to six feet. Thus it seldom, 

 needs to be tabled to harvest. The head of dwarf broom corn is 

 usually partly inclosed in the sheath, often called "boot." On this 

 account the heads of dwarf corn are usually pulled. "Where the 

 heads have a uniform state of maturity, they may be pulled and at 

 once placed in wagons for hauling to the drying and curing sheds. 

 Uniform maturity is greatly assisted by uniform stands and cul- 

 tivation. 



Rains at harvest time are more liable to injure dwarf corn than 

 standard because the "boot," inclosing the head, may hold water 

 about the head. This may cause the stems to redden, thus reducing 

 their value. Under similar conditions, dwarf broom corn requires 

 much less labor in harvesting than standard. 



The yield from dwarf broom corn can be expected to be about 

 one ton from five acres on rich lands or under irrigation. On dry 

 land the yield will likely run around one ton from five to seven, 

 acres. As soon as cut the brush is ready to haul to the drying or 

 curing sheds. If any considerable quantity is grown it pays to pro- 

 vide special dump wagons as the saving in labor will more than off- 

 set the extra cost. The wagon is driven over the empty tables and 

 loaded by a man working from each side. The brush ends are placed 

 out, stalk ends in and overlapping. The dump wagons slide the 

 brush off and leave it in a pile just as it was on the wagon. 



Sorting. Before the brush is hauled in it should be sorted. 

 Crooked or unduly coarse brush severely cuts on the market price. 

 All such brush can best be disposed of by discarding it entirely. It 

 will sometimes pay to have a man go ahead of the haulers and give a 

 final sorting. 



Thrashing. If any considerable area is raised the grower will 

 need a broom corn thrasher. The regular thrasher costs about $200. 

 It consists of a cylinder similar to that of a regular grain thrasher. 

 The broom corn does not pass through the beater as in thrashing 

 grain, but is held against the beater until the seed is all removed. On 

 the regular thrasher the brush is carried to the cylinder at an angle 



