HUMBOLDT, ILLINOIS 
Preparation of the soil should have careful attention; all stalks and other field 
rubbish should be removed; the ground should be broken up as soon as the field is in 
proper condition; plow the same depth as for Indian corn or maize; let it stand until 
the ground is thoroughly warmed, usually about the 15th of May in Central Illinois, 
varying according to weather conditions and climate; then disc and give vigorous har¬ 
rowing if it is rough and cloddy, roll until it is fine and well broken up. It should be 
in the same condition as soil for a seed bed for wheat. The seed should be thoroughly 
cleaned, using one bushel to 20 acres. Adjust the planter three feet wide and drill 
from 55 to 60 seeds to the rod in the row. It should be planted from one and one-half 
inches to two inches in depth. As soon as the little plants appear above the ground, it 
should be rolled if the surface is dry. When it is in such condition, the weeder should 
be used, which improves the soil and destroys the little weeds, but if the surface is 
damp, use the three^-shovel cultivator. 
Sheds must be made before the harvest begins. One built 24 by 48 feet will hold 
30 acres of brush as it usually requires three acres for the ton. To build a shed, set 
posts in the ground and cover with shingles or any good roofing. Gable the ends but 
leave the sides open. The strips to support the shelves should be one by three inches, 
nailed three inches apart; this will make the shelves six inches apart and leaves 
three inches for air space. Many make a mistake by using one by four strips which 
gives only a two inch air space. 
The proper time to harvest it is when it is in full bloom; if harvesting is delayed 
the brush will retain a bad color. When the brush is in the condition as stated above, 
break it cross wise of the row making a complete table convenient to the cutter, the 
stems should be six inches long after it is cut and laid on the table, laying off every 
third table for a drive table. Two men with a dump rack on the wagon, one on each 
side, drive through the field and gather the brush, laying the heads on the dump out¬ 
ward. Then draw it to the seeder and dump on convenient ground that it may be 
seeded. The seeding will require about 15 or 20 men. After the brush is seeded, it is 
spread on the shelves for drying. The condition of the brush governs the thickness of 
the layers, generally about three inches in depth. When it is well cured, which requires 
about ten days to two weeks when the weather is favorable, then it is ready to bale. 
By the use of the baler, it is made into neat bales weighing about 300 pounds. 
Toland experimented with smut in broom corn for many years, and in 
the year 1902 he found the most satisfactory preparation which frees it almost entirely 
from smut. It has been brought to our notice that fields planted from inferior seed 
were full of smut, while a field adjoining, which was planted from our seed, remained 
free from smut, the other field having no effect upon it throughout the entire season. 
There is a great deal of misunderstanding as to how Toland treats his seed for smut. 
He uses three chemicals in liquid form. The seed is put in boxes and planted immedi¬ 
ately, not even allowed to stand over noon. This entirely frees the broom corn seed 
from smut, and very little or any smut appears in the next crop. Occasionally there 
are some smut heads when it is planted in a field where there has been corn or oats 
which had smut in it. 
Three per cent sales tax charged to sales made in Illinois. 
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