60 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



yield of Indian torn, and is as free as possible from "weeds, is best for broom corn. If 

 the soil is not fertile, it should be liberally manured. The seed can be planted almost 

 as early as corn. Only mature seed should be used, and it may be planted in hills 

 or drills, although drill culture is generally recommended. The rows should be 3 to 

 4 feet apart, and sufficient seed should be planted to insure three to five stalks every 

 15 or 18 inches in the row; or the seed may be drilled thinly so as to leave one stalk 

 every 3 or 4 inches. The cultivation of broom corn is similar to that given to corn 

 or sorghum. The early growth of the plant is slow, hence the need of prompt and 

 frequent shallow cultivation to keep the weeds in subjection and to maintain a thin 

 layer of loose soil on the surface. 



Harvesting. — The chief difficulty encountered by the novice in broom-corn cul- 

 ture is in determining when to harvest the brush. Even experienced growers are 

 not unanimous on this point, some cutting the heads while in blossom, and others 

 harvesting later so as to obtain better developed seeds possessing considerable nutri- 

 tive value. The time geuerally preferred is just after the fall of the so-called 

 "blossom 7 ' (anthers). A common custom with tall varieties at time of harvesting 

 is to bend down the stalks of two rows diagonally toward each other in such man- 

 ner that the bent parts support each other in a nearly horizoutal position. The 

 stalks of one row cross diagonally those of the other and form a platform or " table." 

 The break, or rather the sharp bend, in the stalk is made about 2J or 3 feet above the 

 ground. The brush borne on one row projects over and beyond the other row iu a 

 position convenient for the cutter, who follows immediately. The heads with 5 

 inches of stalk are laid on the table, or platform, until they can be removed to a dry- 

 ing shed. Cutting while the plants are wet with dew or rain should be avoided. 

 The brush of the dwarf variety is pulled out, not cut. If the season is dry as the 

 corn approaches maturity the brush remains straight, but if the weather is hot and 

 damp at this period the straws are likely to bend and to form crooked brush. In 

 harvesting and in curing great pains are taken to keep the brush straight. Crooked 

 or tangled brush is carefully sorted out. From the field the brush is taken to the 

 scrapers, which remove the seed. Large growers of broom corn employ special 

 scraping machines, consisting of one or two cylinders provided with iron teeth and 

 usually driven by horsepower. The most complete scrapers are provided with an 

 automatic feeding arrangement. With cheaper machines the operator holds the 

 seed end of a handful of brush against the cylinders until the seeds are removed. 

 It is stated that the ordinary threshing machine, with concave removed, has been 

 used in a similar manner. For small quantities of brush a long-toothed currycomb, 

 or a wooden comb made by sawing teeth in a plank has been used. The brash 

 should be cured in the shade, as exposure to sun or moisture injures its color and 

 strength. Free circulation of air is necessary in this process. Hence, when large 

 quantities are to be cured special curing houses thoroughly ventilated and provided 

 with racks made of narrow planks and laths are constructed. On these racks layers 

 of brush 3 inches thick are laid. Curing is continued until the brush will not heat 

 when bulked or baled. When curing the brush is pressed into bales, usually 46 by 

 30 by 24 inches and weighing about 300 pounds. The butts are placed evenly at the 

 ends of the bale, and the pieces of "brush " lap in the middle. 



FOREIGN USES. — The Venetian whisks of Italy are made from this species, which 

 is employed in all civilized countries for similar use, and for the manufacture of 

 brooms and brushes. 



Andropogon squarrosus. The Ousous, Knus Khtjs, ob Koosa. 

 Endogen. Graminece. Perennial grass, * to 10 feet. 

 Common and native names. — Vetivert, Kueh-kush, Bene; Khas (Hind, and 



1'ers. i ; I'sir (Arab.); Miyamore (Barm.), etc. 

 Native of India. Very common in many portions of India, growing in low, moist. 



rich soil, usually along the water courses, but found on the plains of northwest 



