INTRODUCTION AND EXTENT OF CULTURE. 11 



have it a few seeds), he picked it off and planted it ; this 

 was the beginning of Broom-corn culture in this country. 

 The story is used to illustrate the importance of cultivat- 

 ing the powers of observation, and the fact that small be- 

 ginnings may often lead to great results. As we do not 

 know of any country, except the United States, that ex- 

 ports brooms, it would be very interesting to know 

 where that broom came from, as it might throw some 

 light upon the obscure history of this useful plant. 



Like cork, Broom-corn is one of those natural products 

 that are so perfectly adapted for the uses to which they 

 are put, that no substitute has been, or is likely to be, 

 found for it. In toughness, elasticity, sufficient, but not 

 too great rigidity, lightness, and ease with which it is 

 manufactured, it excels all other materials used for 

 brooms. Besides these qualities, it is so easily procured 

 as to be within the reach of every one, and can be grown 

 over such a wide extent of country, that its culture, at 

 least, whatever may happen to its commerce, can never 

 be a monopoly. However improbable the story of Frank- 

 lin may be, its introduction is in keeping with the various 

 benefits for wliich we are indebted to that eminently 

 utilitarian philosopher. 



Aside from the manufacture of brooms of. various sizes 

 and qualities, the uses of Broom-corn are but few. It 

 has one use which not many suspect, and this humble 

 product often helps to complete the toilet of the most 

 fashionable belle, and is even carried by the bride to the 

 altar. In making choice flowers into costly bouquets, 

 they cannot be cut with stems long enough to allow them 

 to be made up, and even if they could be, the natural 

 stems are not so manageable as artificial ones ; accord- 

 ingly each flower is first ' ' stemmed," by attaching it by 

 means of a fine wire to a splint of Broom-corn, which is 

 the best material for the purpose. 



The Shaker community at Watervliet, N. Y., are said 



