340 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1899. 
not, in the case of the new settler, be possible to carry out,the operation in this 
manner, Should the farmer contemplate growing this crop in large areas, this 
matter of shed room will need ample consideration, as in the event of wet 
weather abundant space will be required to spread the brush to prevent it 
sweating, which it speedily does when stacked in large quantities without 
sufficient ventilation. My practice is, when shed room is ample, to stretch wire- 
netting across the building in several sections, suspending the netting from the 
crossplates with fencing wire, and spreading the fibre evenly on it to a thickness 
of about 6 inches or so, according to the state of the crop. If the material is 
moderately dry. it will not require much treatment inside, providing the weather 
is fine, but in the event of wet weather intervening it will require to be often 
turned to prevent heating and sweating. In continued fine weather, if com- 
pelled to dry the fibre in the open, it may be spread on racks and frequently 
turned to prevent undue exposure to the sun while drying. During dry hot 
weather, the farmer will find the erop easy to deal with, and he will need to 
watch that the heads are not over-dried to the extent of imparting brittleness 
to the fibre and loss of that attractive fresh colour that gives value to the 
product. A good system of building a frame or rack for drying purposes is as 
here illustrated. ‘The crosspieces are laid on the longitudinal plates, then 
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filled with brush, and succeedmg layers are put on as required. When the 
material is thoroughly dry, it may be evenly stored away in the barn or shed 
until a convenient opportunity occurs for stripping. I must again emphasise 
the advisability, when stacking away, for care in laying the broom-heads in 
symmetrical order—heads and butts in alternate layers—in order that, when 
stripping begins, the stuff will not need straightening out to enable the strippers 
to dothe swiftest work. Itis important to occasionally examine the interior of 
the heap to make sure that the curing has been efficiently done. Often the 
inexperienced grower will find that the condition of his fibre is different to 
what he expected. If any indications of heating or mould present themselves, 
then the evident plan is to once more spread out the parts affected. On the other 
hand, carefully dried material will give the grower no concern, as it will keep in 
bulk indefinitely—save for vermin. Properly cured corn, if of the evergreen 
varieties, should maintain its lustrous green shade after thorough drying ; while 
the Californian Golden and White Italian sorts, if well handled and not affected 
with rust, should have a clear, bright appearance, as distinct from the clouded, 
dull presentment of fibre that has been indifferently looked after, 
