MARKETING BROOM CORN. 3 



crop in previous publications of the Department of Agriculture, 2 

 but it is desired to bring out here a few of the principal points in 

 these operations which have a direct bearing on the marketing of 

 this commodity. 



SELECTION OF BRUSH. 



The selection of properly matured heads commands first attention. 

 Broom corn is in the proper stage for harvest when the fiber is deep 

 green from tip to knuckle. This stage may be reached when the 

 head is in bloom or not until the seed is in the dough stage. If har- 

 vested too young the fiber will be pale green to white at the knuckle. 

 This immature fiber lacks elasticity, shrivels perceptibly on curing, 

 and presents an uninviting appearance when baled. Overripe brush 

 is equally undesirable, for it becomes harsh and brittle and usually 

 shows red or red specks, particularly if the harvest has been delayed 

 on account of wet weather. 



WHAT NOT TO HARVEST. 



Preventable waste among manufacturers can be traced in many 

 instances to the first steps in harvesting. Just what constitutes 

 waste, however, is not easily determined, as certain kinds of brush 

 that go to the trash pile in one factory are utilized, by another. 

 There are, however, some well-defined types generally considered 

 not profitable to use. (See PI. II.) These are "spikes," large cen- 

 ter-stemmed brush, weather-stained " crooks," and extreme curly 

 growth. Spikes, which are small, undeveloped heads with scant, 

 short, and often immature fiber, are used by manufacturers, if at all, 

 to stiffen the body of the broom. Their value in broom-making is 

 limited, and many factories consider them a total waste. Heads 

 having large center stems, especially those having no well-defined 

 knuckles (PL II), add materially to the expense of working broom 

 corn and their value in the harvest is very much questioned. 

 '" Crooks," or heads that are sharply curved just above the knuckle, 

 while often of excellent fiber, are frequently not profitable to harvest. 

 This depends upon the prevailing quality and market value of broom 

 corn generally. In periods of low prices it seldom pays to gather 

 them, because the price received is usually less than half that paid 

 for good brush or similar fiber. If prices justify the cutting of 

 crooks, they should be harvested and handled separately, or, at any 

 rate, be removed from the bulk of the crop before being thrashed, 

 because they interfere materially with the general thrashing. In 

 certain sections curly growth is frequent. This growth is considered 

 of little value, and " burly " heads which are both short and twisted 



2 Rothgeb, B. E. Dwarf Broom Corn, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Bulle- 

 tin 768. Standard Broom Corn, U, S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Bulletin 958, 



