CULTURE OF BROOM -CORN IN THE UNITED STATES, ETC. 239 



the pieces are wrenched from the rocks with a strong two-pronged fork 

 fixed to a long pole. The sponges are of four kinds— yellow, glove, velvet, 

 and mop. The first is the most valuable kind, selling at about Is. the lb. ; 

 the second at 9d. ; the velvet is the toughest, and much used in stables for 

 its softness ; the last kind is very inferior, and only used for mops. At the 

 foregoing prices it scarcely repays the outfit, but Is. 3d. a pound about 

 remunerates the fishermen. 



The imports of sponge from the Bahamas and United States during the 

 past seven years have been as follows, in pounds : — 



Bahamas. United States. 



1853 91,736 23,774 



1854 115,213 33,159 



1855 120,013 14,936 



1856 79,893 3,271 



1857 167,051 



1858 226,094 7,693 



1859 207,450 7,234 



CULTURE OF BROOM-CORN IN THE UNITED STATES, AND 

 THE MANUFACTURE OF BROOMS. 



The production of broom-corn, the Sorghum dora, is rapidly extending in 

 many parts of North America, and corn brooms are driving broom sedge, 

 as an article for sweeping floors, out of every humble dwelling in the 

 Union. It is cultivated for its " brush," the dried panicles cleared of the 

 seed. The grain of the panicles forms excellent food for poultry. The 

 annual produce of the plant in the State of New York alone is valued at 

 over one million sterling. Large quantities of this broom-corn " brush " 

 are now imported into this country, chiefly for making carpet-brooms and 

 clothes-brushes. 



Perhaps there is not a branch of American manufactures that has within 

 a few years increased so rapidly in extent, attended at the same time with 

 a large increase in prices, as the manufacture of brooms. The acquisition 

 of California, and the settlement there of a large population depending upon 

 importation for a supply of necessary articles, and the increased population 

 of cities and villages, have of course given an impetus to the trade of New 

 York in brooms, as in almost everything else. But the demand for export 

 to European and Australian markets has been the leading cause of the large 

 increase in this particular business. In the year 1856, brooms to the value 

 of £10,000 were exported from the United States. 



The following information as to the rise and progress of the manufacture 

 may be interesting, and also furnish a hint or two to some of our Australian 

 and other colonists as to the profits that may be made in this line. 



About 1750, Benjamin Atkinson commenced the broom business in By- 



