HARVESTING BROOM-CORN 43 



exclusively for broom-corn, but during the 

 remainder of the year they may be used for hay 

 barns or for the storage of machinery. 



A common method of construction is to support 

 the roof by means of uprights placed eight feet apart, 

 and nail to these uprights narrow strips 4 inches 

 apart and running lengthwise of the shed. A large 

 number of slats or strips 2 inches wide and 8 feet 

 long are provided for shelves upon which the brush 

 is to rest. But these are not put in place until the 

 shed is being filled. Beginning near the ground the 

 first shelf is formed by placing two of these strips 

 across the section parallel to each other and about 

 i foot apart, with their ends supported by the low- 

 est longitudinal strips. The brush is then spread 

 evenly over this shelf to the depth of 3 inches, and 

 then a second shelf is constructed in the same man- 

 ner as the first. This process is repeated until the 

 entire shed is filled with shelves 4 inches apart and 

 each carrying a layer of brush three inches deep. It 

 is necessary to keep the layers thin, in order to 

 secure a good air circulation and thus facilitate the 

 curing and drying of the brush. 



Figure 15 shows the interior of an Ohio shed in 

 which the shelves have been constructed of light 

 poles instead of sawed strips. 



If warm, dry, weather prevails the brush will be 

 ready to bulk down in three or four weeks. It 

 should not be taken from the shelves, however, until 

 the stems show no signs of moisture when squeezed 

 or twisted. If left on the slats in the curing shed too 



