December, 1912.] 475 



THE BROOM CORN FIBRE INDUSTRY, 



Applications have reached us for information regarding the plant 

 whose cultivation forms the basis of this industry which is attaining to 

 large proportions. 



Broom Corn is a species of Sorghum which has come to be known 

 among the natives, since its introduction by the late School of Agricul- 

 ture, as " Idal iringu" which is a literal translation of the English name. 



Mr. Temple Smith of the Agricultural Department of Victoria writes 

 an article on this subject in the Agricultural Journal of that State, 

 which we summarise for the benefit of those interested in the industry. 



The cultivation is suitable to holders of small blocks of land, prefer- 

 ably so where irrigation is possible, It will grow where maize grows, but 

 it is a hardier plant and stands drought better. Sandy loams and 

 alluvial soils are the best, and stiff clays its worst soils, 



Sowing is done at the rate of 4 lbs. per acre. The rows should be 

 3 feet apart and the plants 7 or 8 inches apart in the rows. Until the 

 plants are 6 or 7 feet high the space between the rows should be worked 

 to keep down weeds and preserve the soil in a loose condition. 



Sheds for drying should be provided. These may be made of any 

 rough material and should have free ventilatian, so as to allow the moist 

 air within an easy means of escape. The quicker the curing process the 

 better the colour of the fibre, as the green colour (which is desirable) is 

 then fixed. 



A crop will be ready in about five months and should be harvested as 

 soon as the seed begins to harden. In the green stage the stalks will be 

 more useful as fodder for stock. 



The heads which have been previously " wrung " so that the fibre on 

 them may hang down and straighten are cut off from about 6 inches be- 

 low the junction of the pannicles with the main stalk, and any sheaths 

 attached to the stalk are nibbed off, the heads being kept straight in the 

 hand with bulbs all one way. These are laid across the cut stalks to keep 

 them from being soiled. 



The sooner the fibre is removed to the shed the better. Here it is 

 laid on a flooring of saplings, battens or wire-netting to dry. The layer 

 should not be over 3 inches deep. In dry weather the fibre will be ready 

 in 6 or 7 days and should be bulked with the heads all one way. Care 

 should be taken not to allow the temperature to rise in the layers. 



The seed is usually threshed by means of a roller. After separating 

 the seed, the fibre is graded and made up into bundles about 5 inches in 

 diameter, and is then ready for packing into bales, 



The amount of marketable fibre taken off an acre is from 7 to 10 

 cvvt., the value ranging from £20 to £35 per ton. Taking the fibre at 7 

 cwt. per acre and the average value at £25 a ton, the fibre alone is worth 

 £8-15s. while the average value of the seed (3 bags per acre at 7s per bag) 



