j . )() CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



England. Its cultivation has, nevertheless, extended; and it 



no\v be found in almost every section of the country. In 



some parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Ohio 



it is cultivated very extensively and with considerable profit. 



The Rev. HENRY COLMAN we can have no better authority 

 says, that the seed is considered as about two-thirds the 

 value of oats; and that mixed with corn it is excellent for the 

 fattening of cattle and swine. The return of seed is often pre- 

 carious, but still it is frequently abundant, and will often more 

 than pay the whole expense of cultivation and preparing the 

 crop for market. The seed varies from twenty to one hun- 

 dred and fifty bushels to the acre, according to the nature of 

 the soil, the quality of seed, culture and season. One thousand 

 pounds of broom, and seventy bushels of seed to the acre, are 

 considered a fair crop in those parts of New England where 

 special attention is devoted to its culture. The quantity rare- 

 ly falls below four hundred and fifty pounds per acre, and as 

 seldom exceeds twelve hundred. The average, at the present 

 day, is probably about seven hundred pounds to the acre, 

 which, with very little extra attention, might be easily brought 

 up to one thousand, now considered by many cultivators a fair 

 crop. 



The broom corn requires a good soil, either naturally fertile, 

 or made so by the application of manures. The earth should 

 be well pulverized; the preparation is similar to that for Indian 

 corn. It will not only bear, but amply reward high cultiva- 

 tion. The seed and very great care is to be observed in 

 taking it from the largest and best of the preceding crop is 

 planted in rows; these rows are at a sufficient distance from 

 each other to admit of easy culture with the cultivator. Some- 

 times they are dropped in hills, eighteen inches apart; four or 

 five stalks are by some persons considered sufficient for a hill, 

 others allow more. 



The corn frequently attains a height of from twelve to fifteen 

 feet, and, when uniform and in perfection, no crop is more 

 beautiful. The New England practice is to table the corn; 

 that is, to cut off the top or tassel, as the broom is called, and 

 bending the stalks of two rows together, lay it down until it 

 is seasoned and fit to be carried in. In the spring the remain- 

 der of the stalks are burnt in the field. This, we conceive, is 

 poor economy, as they afford but little ashes. They would 

 unquestionably prove a valuable addition to the compost heap, 

 and should, therefore, as soon as they are topped, be transferred 

 to the cattle and sheep yards. The scraping of the brush is 

 an unpleasant business, and sometimes injurious to the eyes. 

 From half a gallon to one gallon of seed is used to the acre. 



