40 BROOM-CORK AND BROOMS. 



GROWING ON THE LARGE SCALE. 



The following is from one of the most capable and ex- 

 perienced agriculturists in the country, who resides in the 

 celebrated Broom-corn district of Illinois, of which Cham- 

 paign is the center. His acquaintance with those who 

 cultivate most extensively, his familiarity with the vari- 

 ous plantations, and his general knowledge of agriculture, 

 make his report of more value than that of any one 

 grower. The very copious notes he has kindly furnished 

 are here condensed. 



The largest cultivators in this vicinity are Johnson & 

 Bogardus, who have 600 acres in Broom-corn ; two other 

 parties have 500 acres each ; two others 300 each, while 

 those who have from 40 to 100 acres, are numerous. I 

 am informed that south of here there are those who have 

 still larger fields, but I am not able to give data. It is 

 estimated that in this immediate vicinity there are 5,000 

 acres in Broom-corn. The growers generally own the 

 land, though some hire it. 



The Early Mohawk, and the Missouri or Tennessee 

 Evergreen are the usual varieties, the Dwarf being but 

 little grown. The seed is sown by means of two-horse 

 drills in rows 3 to 3 1 1 2 feet apart, from 6 to 10 seeds 

 being dropped every 15 to 18 inches. While some prefer 

 10 seeds, others plant only 6 in a place, and have the 

 drills arranged accordingly. 



In cultivating, the work is done all in one direction, 

 there being no crossing of the rows. A cultivator is 

 used which has adjustable scrapers so set as to throw the 

 earth from the row, and in hand-hoeing the earth is 

 worked from the row. Clean cultivation is essential, and 

 whatever implements will keep the weeds down in other 

 corn, are used for this. The amount of cultivation de- 

 pends greatly upon the season, in good weed years it is 



