50 BROOM-CORN CULTURE 



for the American Agriculturist gave the following 

 directions for -, making brooms by hand: "When 

 ready to go to work, take as much as will be needed 

 for the number of brooms to be made, and set the 

 stalk portions in water up to the brush, and leave 

 them to soak an hour or two. When softened, gather 

 in the hands enough for a broom, with the largest 

 and best stalks on the outside in regular order. The 

 good appearance of the broom when finished will 

 depend upon the evenness of the brush and proper 

 arrangement of the outside layers. Next, fasten a 

 strong small cord to the ceiling, with a loop for the 

 foot in the lower end, or tie a stick to the cord as a 

 sort of treadle upon which to place the foot. Wind 

 this cord two or three times around the brush. 

 Grasp the brush firmly in both hands and roll it 

 around several times, increasing the pressure with 

 the foot. Instead of the foot, some use a lever upon 

 the lower end of the cord, one end of the lever being 

 placed under the work-bench, and the other held by 

 a boy, who can give the required pressure. The 

 next operation is to wind on a strong twine for a 

 space of i l /2 or 2 inches. This is best done by rolling 

 the pressing cord close up next to the brush, wind 

 the twine on, and roll off the cord towards the end, 

 following it with the twine. To make a neat knot 

 at the end, double one end of the twine and lay it 

 along the outside of the stalks, letting the loose end 

 lie out at the left. W 7 hen the twine is all on, slip 

 the right end through the loop, and draw the left 

 end so as to bring the loop in under the coil of twine ; 

 then cut off the two ends close in to the coil. No 



