Show BROOM CORN HARVEST TIME r in most western sections it does not interfere with work on other field crops in III most sections broom corn harvest comes at a time when it does not v conflict with work on oil other field crops it comes after oat and wheat harvest and before corn Is ripe in order to secure brush of the desired quality finality it should be harvested just as tho plants are coming into full bloom when the fiber of the brush Is of fresh green color if the crop is allowed to i remain emain on the stalk for a longer period than this and moist weather occurs then the heads which remain within the leaf sheath will have a tendency to turn red writes A K lindsey president of the american warehouse company in III F farmers star and elve stock over ripeness and exposure to the hot sun will discolor the straw Sun bleached or red stained brush is of less market value than the fresh green fiber As this variety grows from four to six feet in height and the head la Is partly in ill the sheath of the upper leaf it is found more convenient to pull the heads if the field does not mature evenly it should be pulled two otsiree or three times each time only pulling the matured heads after the crop is all harvested and thoroughly cured it Is usually seeded and baled at the same time where there is liable to be much rain or heavy dews at harvest time it is essential to have sheds for curing and where this condition exists the brush is pulled and taken directly to the sheds where it is seeded then spread out in thin layers on suitable shelves for curing standard broom corn usually con ta bains ins some crooked brush and this should always be handled and baled I 1 A separately from the straight i to secure the highest prices the 8 T market demands a brush of fresh green color smooth round fiber full tip ranging from 15 to 24 inches in length the selection of good seed from desirable seed heads will assist in bringing about a decided improvement in selecting the seed heads special attention should be given to the quality or character of the straw individual plants which have a large center stem or a stalk running nearly full length of the straw should be discarded large larg e coarse or kinky straw is also objectionable only the best and most perfect heads should be selected for planting the seed patch the next year since the broom corn should be harvested before the seed matures every grower should set aside a small plat for the production of his seed considerable loss in price to the grower is too often caused by not properly threshing or removing the seed from his broom corn and also from poor baling both of these things are wrong and cause trouble for the buyer as well as the manufacturer broom corn that is well cleaned and free from seed and put up tip in III a good solid square bale will always sell quicker and bring better prices than it will if poorly handled the appearance of a well handled crop always merits the approval ot of the buyers and makes that growers grower crop always in demand |