46 



BKOOM-CORST AND BROOMS. 



Fig. 12. 



beyond the strength of a Buckeye girl, and that he was 

 provident enough to keep them supplied with brush. 

 Those who raise only a family supply of Broom-corn, and 

 cannot avail themselves of any of the scrapers or cleaners 

 mentioned elsewhere, can use the very simple one shown 

 in figure 12. It is simply a comb, made by sawing teeth 

 in the end of a board, and nailing it firmly against a 

 bench or other support ; by drawing the brush across this 

 the seed may be readily removed. The stalk 

 should be cut off at about six inches from 

 the brush ; when it is ready to make up. 

 The following directions, prepared by a 

 friend, who lived in Maine, appeared in the 

 American Agriculturist several years ago, and are found- 

 ed upon his own practice. 



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 it 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 ap- 

 pearance of the broom when finished, will depend upon 

 the evenness of the brush and 

 proper arrangement of the out- 

 side 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, as shown in 

 figure 13. Grasp the brush firm- 



rig. 13. 



ly in both hands, and roll it round 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 



