54: BROOM-CORN AND BROOMS. 



round shape, and needs to be made flat and sewed. This 

 is done in the clamps shown at figure 21. These are 

 simply a pair of wooden jaws, very similar to those used 

 by harness-makers in which the leather is held to be 

 sewed. The broom is put into the clamps, which are 

 pressed together by the lever which is shown projecting 



Fig. 21. SEWING THE BROOMS. 



at the side (d). The lever is made of a piece of wood 

 with a handle, and an iron band is fastened to it so as to 

 embrace the jaws of the clamp. The band is pivoted to 

 one of the clamps, and when the handle is lifted, the 

 other clamp is forced forward towards the first one, and 

 pinches whatever may be placed between them. The 

 movable clamp is hinged to the floor. The clamps are 

 about eight inches broad. Before being squeezed in the 



