Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1911 — Growing Broom Corn in Indiana By Prof. M. L. Fisher [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Growing Broom Corn in Indiana By Prof. M. L. Fisher

By Prof. M. L. Fisher

Professor of Crop Production, Soils and Crops Department, Purdue University

(By M. L. FISHER, Professor of Crop Production, Boils and Crops Department.) Recent high prices for broom corn brush and the high price of brooms have stimulated Interest in the growing of broom corn. It may be said at ■the outset that this crop can be successfully grown in Indiana. Any good corn soil is suitable. The seed-bed for broom corn should be prepared the same as for field corn. It is a good plan to work the ground several times before planting the seed in order to kill out the young weeds. Planting Is done the latter part of May, after the ground is fully warmed. The seed Is usually planted in drills 3t Inches or more apart, and thick enought.in the row so that the plants will stand four to six Inches apart. About two quarts of seed are required for an acre. It may be planted with a corn planter having sorghum plates, or drilled with a wheat drill. The cultivation of broom corn follows exactly that for field corn. The Improved Evergreen and California Golden have been leading varieties. Other varieties have also given good results. A yield of l<bOO pounds of brush per acre la a very good crop. Broom corn Is ready to harvest when the seed la nearly mature. If cut too soon the brush will be soft and brittle; if allowed to get too ripe.

it will be too stiff and harsh, and will also likely be red in color. It is a common practice among small growers to break down the brush as soon as it is in bloom to prevent the branches of the brush from sprangltng and becoming crooked. This is not necessary. At harvest time the stalks are "tabled” by breaking two rows across each other at a height of about three feet. The brush is then cut with a knife and laid on top of the table, where It can easily be gathered and hauled to the storage shed. The handle of the brush should be cut about four inches long. As sooh as out the brush should be removed to a place where It can be laid on racks to cure. When partly cured the seed should be removed. For small quantities this is usually done with a curry comb, scraping the brush on a board laid across a barrel. After the seed is removed and the carrying finished, the brush is ready to be tied in bundles and marketed or made up directly into brooms. . Broom corn seed may be used as food for hogs end poultry, but Is not a high grade feed. It is probably not advisable for many Indiana farmers to go into the broom corn business extensively - unless they are sure cf their position.

Harvesting Broom Corn on Purdue Farm.