HARVESTING BROOM-CORN 43 
exclusively for broom-corn, but during the 
remainder of the year they may be used for hay 
barns or for the storage of machinery. 
A common method of construction is to support 
the roof by means of uprights placed eight feet apart, 
and nail to these uprights narrow strips 4 inches 
apart and running lengthwise of the shed. A large 
number of slats or strips 2 inches wide and 8 feet 
long are provided for shelves upon which the brush 
is to rest. But these are not put in place until the 
shed is being filled. Beginning near the ground the 
first shelf is formed by placing two of these strips 
across the section parallel to each other and about 
1 foot apart, with their ends supported by the low- 
est longitudinal strips. The brush is then spread 
evenly over this shelf to the depth of 3 inches, and 
then a second shelf is constructed in the same man- 
ner as the first. This process is repeated until the 
entire shed is filled with shelves 4 inches apart and 
each carrying a layer of brush three inches deep. It 
is necessary to keep the layers thin, in order to 
secure a good air circulation and thus facilitate the 
curing and drying of the brush. 
Figure 15 shows the interior of an Ohio shed in 
which the shelves have been constructed of light 
poles instead of sawed strips. 
If warm, dry, weather prevails the brush will be 
ready to bulk down in three or four weeks. It 
should not be taken from the shelves, however, until 
the stems show no signs of moisture when squeezed 
or twisted. If left on the slats in the curing shed too 
