MARKETING BROOM CORN. 27 
5 In almost all sections where the Standard variety of broom corn 
is grown, curing sheds (see fig. 2) are made available for the brush 
as baled. Hate: it remains well protected, especially when the sheds 
are boarded up on the sides most exposed to storms. While such 
sheds are for temporary protection only, they may be the factor which 
determines whether brush shall be of high or low quality, since 
proper care at this stage of preparation is very important. - 
| In striking contrast are the storage facilities in the Dwarf pro- 
ducing sections. “Open-air” storage is the prevailing method in 
certain. sections and is cheap, convenient, and often satisfactory for 
| concentrating this commodity pending shipment. Open-air storage 
‘can not be recommended, but it is practiced extensively by farmers 
and shippers where rainfall generally is light and where no special 
attention has been given to shed curing. The actual loss on account 
_of this practice alone over a period of years is much less than is ordi- 
_narily supposed, for the brush often is not strictly first class when 
_ baled. Western Dwarf is much more inclined to turn red than is 
| Standard. The erowth often is not uniform and ordinarily does not 
contain the high pemeulige of hurl that the eastern sections produce; 
and since “insides” generally need not be the perfect brush expected 
_ for the “outsides” of fancy brooms, the material meets the demand 
- for a medium- -grade product. The fact that “open-air” storage is 
inexpensive prompts many to hesitate about building expensive sheds 
_ or warehouses when they are not seriously inconvenienced by not hav- 
ing them. Serious losses, however, occur when unfavorable weather 
does come, and the experience of western growers in the season of 
1920 will undoubtedly cause many to discontinue the practice of 
_ taking chances when a suitable protection will insure them against 
_ losses such as were then sustained. : 
Open-air storage at shipping points (see Pl. I, fig. 2) is also com- 
mon in the Dwarf sections. At Elkhart, Kans., one of the largest 
country-point markets, no pretense is made of housing broom corn 
in warehouses, and the methods used at this market are typical of 
those generally employed. Hundreds of bales are piled on the 
ground, where they remain in the open until cars are procured for 
shipping to terminal markets. Unfavorable weather during this 
_ time is detrimental and interferes materially in shipping. 
There are few country-point markets where warehouses are avail- 
able for storing broom corn. The bulk is bought for shipment as 
soon as cars can be procured, and if there is no place to store it is 
kept on the farms until it can be shipped. The fact that storage 
is needed only for temporary use has discouraged the building of 
expensive warehouses, especially if they can not be utilized for 
other purposes throughout the year. This has been found a serious 
* 
x. 
‘ 
a 
w 
