THE SOBOHUMS 243 



where there is but little rain at the time of harvest. Harvest 

 occurs about the same time as with other kinds of sorghum; 

 that is, in August and September. In the southeastern 

 part of the United States the weather is more apt to be dry 

 in September and October than in August ; hence it is well 

 to postpone, the date of planting late enough into May or 

 June to bring the harvesting season in September, rather 

 than earlier. 



Rain just before or at harvest time is likely to cause plant- 

 lice to attack the plants and to discolor the brush, which, 

 in order to command the highest price, should be of a green 

 color. 



Any land on which a good yield of corn is ordinarily 

 made is suitable for broom-corn. 



The same fertilization as for corn, or for sorghum grown 

 for sirup, is advisable. The soil should be fertile enough 

 and the fertilizer rich enough in nitrogen to insure a tall and 

 rapid growth, which is favorable to length of brush. 



226. Culture. — If seed is to be saved, broom-corn should 

 be planted in a field remote from any other kind of sorghum, 

 as all kinds of sorghum readily hybridize, or mix. For this 

 and for other reasons, one should plant seed only from se- 

 lected plants, grown in a seed patch where no mixing could 

 have occurred and from which all poor heads were removed 

 before the pollen was ready to be shed. 



Planting in Oklahoma is done chiefly in May. Broom- 

 corn may be planted earlier in the southern portion of the 

 cotton-belt ; but here it is probably well to delay planting 

 late into May or even later, so as to bring the harvest season 

 in September when there is a greater probability of dry 

 weather than there is in August. 



