MARKETING BROOM CORN. 3 
e 
|erop in previous publications of the Department of Agriculture,? 
but it is desired to bring out here a few of the principal points in 
‘|these operations which have a direct bearing on the marketing of 
this commodity. 
SELECTION OF BRUSH. 
_ The selection of properly matured heads commands first attention. 
|Broom corn is in the proper stage for harvest when the fiber is deep 
‘igreen from tip to knuckle. This stage may be reached when the 
head is in bloom or not until the seed is in the dough stage. If har- 
jvested too young the fiber will be pale green to white at the knuckle. 
This immature fiber lacks elasticity, shrivels perceptibly on curing, 
jand presents an uninviting appearance when baled. Overripe brush 
‘is equally undesirable, for it becomes harsh and brittle and usually 
shows red or red specks, particularly if the harvest has been delayed 
j}on account of wet weather. 
WHAT NOT TO HARVEST. 
| Preventable waste among manufacturers can be traced in many 
Jinstances to the first steps in harvesting. Just what constitutes 
| waste, however, is not easily determined, as certain kinds of brush 
| that go to the trash pile in one factory are utilized by another. 
| There are, however, some well-defined types generally considered 
not profitable to use. (See Pl. II.) These are “spikes,” large cen- 
}ter-stemmed brush, weather-stained “crooks,” and extreme curly 
| growth. Spikes, which are small, undeveloped heads with scant, 
) short, and often immature fiber, are used by manufacturers, if at all, 
| to stiffen the body of the broom. Their value in broom-making is 
[imited, and many factories consider them a total waste. Heads 
| having large center stems, especially those having no well-defined 
‘knuckles (Pl. IT), add materially to the expense of working broom 
corn and their value in the harvest is very much questioned. 
| * Crooks,” or heads that are sharply curved just above the knuckle, 
while often of excellent fiber, are frequently not profitable to harvest. 
This depends upon the prevailing quality and market value of broom 
| corn generally. In periods of low prices it seldom pays to gather 
| them, because the price received is usually less than half that paid 
‘| for good brush or similar fiber. If prices justify the cutting of - 
| crooks, they should be harvested and handled separately, or, at any 
rate; be removed from the bulk of the crop before being thrashed, 
| because they interfere materially with the general thrashing. In 
| certain sections curly growth is frequent. This growth is considered 
| of little value, and “burly” heads which are both short and twisted. 
ne I A a a a eee ee 
| _ #Rothgeb, B. E. Dwarf Broom Corn, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Bulle- 
| tin 768. Standard Broom Corn, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Bulletin 958, 
