140 THE CULTURE OF BROOMCORN 



germinating, or if the plant germinates the growth will 

 be retarded by continued cold. 



When large areas are planted, the most convenient way 

 is to divide the field into sections of about ten acres each, 

 and plant at intervals of about a week. The crop demands 

 prompt attention, and if this system of planting is fol- 

 lowed, there is not so much danger of damage to the 

 brush from rain, or becoming too ripe. 



In case farm hands are scarce, the scarcity is not so 

 keenly felt, for there is not a very large crop that 

 demands attention within a period of a few days. A 

 few hands can take care of comparatively large fields, 

 and it is much more convenient than to plant the whole 

 field on a single day. 



The method of planting is about the same as for Kaffir 

 corn. Plant in rows about three feet apart, and four to 

 five inches apart in the row. The Standard, due to its 

 large growth, is planted in rows about three and a half 

 feet apart. 



Selecting good seed is very important. Good seed 

 should give a germination of 90 to 95 per cent, and seed 

 should not be used that falls much below this standard. 

 By using seed that gives a germination test above 90 per 

 cent, one bushel is sufficient quantity to plant twenty 

 acres ; or two quarts of seed will plant an acre. 



The soil should be in good condition when seeded; 

 then the cultivation should begin early and be repeated 

 frequently to prevent the weeds from getting a start of 

 the slow-growing plants. A sharp-tooth harrow is some- 

 times used just as the plants are coming up. 



After one good harrowing, the field should receive 

 about two cultivations of medium depth, then the rest 

 of the cultivation should be shallow, so as not to injure 

 the root system. 



In this way the soil is finely pulverized, forming a dust 

 blanket which aids in the conservation of moisture. 



