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26 BULLETIN 1019, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
broom corn is closely “sized” with this in view. The large number 
of lengths prevalent in all broom corn has led to the ‘manufacture 
-.of brooms of several lengths. . e 
Spikes are objectionable as a rule. Some factories, however, use 
some to give a “ body ” to the broom, the spike part of the brush not — 
coming below the sewing. Just el spikes are valuable is difficult | 
to Fea 
Curly broom corn is very objectionable. being both undesirable in 
appearance and of poor quality. The prevalence of this kind of corn - 
in bales must be carefully noted. 
Brittleness is a quality that must also be considered in sampling. _ 
The use of brittle brush is ee largely to “insides” because in 7) 
manufacturing, “turn-overs” and “ outsides” require bending, and 7 
brittle brush al not well withstand this usage. 
The tip of broom corn is given careful consideration in selecting 
brush. Brush “stripped” in thrashing is scant-tipped and its value _ 
is lowered. Some brush is poorly tipped naturally, and therefore — 4 
contains a low percentage of hurl. Full-tipped brush makes a ‘full. | 
tipped broom, as the ends are full-fibered and make a good body at — 
the end when clipped. : | 
Since it is upon the sample obtained that a buyer i is supposed to § i 
base his bid, it is often misleading to note the price offered. It is — 
well known that one accustomed to sampling broom corn can “ pull” 
almost any grade of brush desired and often this is done intentionally. 
_ A low-grade sample is sometimes pulled to justify a low bid. Pull- 
ing low-grade samples may induce the grower to accept a lower bid, 
or may influence another buyer’s bid, but has little weight if another 
buyer is really interested, as every buyer samples all corn purchased. 
On the other hand, close sampling is necessary to discover some un- — 
fair practices. Damaged bales may be placed on the load with the 
damaged portion hidden from view or not easily accessible or the ~ 
thrashing may have been poorly done. Broom corn may have been 
baled too green, or may be shelf-burned. Unless care be used in 
‘sampling, these factors may be overlooked. 
COUNTRY STORAGE. 
Storage facilities, while not always essential to the successful mar- 
keting of broom corn at country points, are very desirable and have 
a marked bearing on the movement of the crop. In localities where 
there is heavy rainfall during the marketing season, much damage 
occurs from lack of such facilities, while in sections where exposure 
is not considered especially detrimental, conditions would be much ~ 
improved if storage houses were more generally used. In the ter- — 
minal markets storage facilities are essential. 
