50 BROOM-CORN CULTURE 
for the American Agriculturist gave the following 
directions for making brooms by hand: “When 
ready to go to work, take as much as will be needed 
for the number of brooms to be made, and set the 
stalk portions in water up to the brush, and leave 
them to soak an hour or two. When softened, gather 
in the hands enough for a broom, with the largest 
and best stalks on the outside in regular order. The 
good appearance of the broom when finished will 
depend upon the evenness of the brush and proper 
arrangement of the outside layers. Next, fasten a 
strong small cord to the ceiling, with a loop for the 
foot in the lower end, or tie a stick to the cord as a 
sort of treadle upon which to place the foot. Wind 
this cord two or three times around the brush. 
Grasp the brush firmly in both hands and roll it 
around several times, increasing the pressure with 
the foot. Instead of the foot, some use a lever upon 
the lower end of the cord, one end of the lever being 
placed under the work-bench, and the other held by 
a boy, who can give the required pressure. The 
next operation is to wind on a strong twine for a 
space of 1% or2inches. This is best done by rolling 
the pressing cord close up next to the brush, wind 
the twine on, and roll off the cord towards the end, 
following it with the twine. To make a neat knot 
at the end, double one end of the twine and lay it 
along the outside of the stalks, letting the loose end 
lie out at the left. When the twine is all on, slip 
the right end through the loop, and draw the left 
end so as to bring the loop in under the coil of twine; 
then cut off the two ends close in to the coil. No 
