BERSEEM. Trifolium Alexandrinum, Linn. Legu minosce. Known also as Egyptian clover. Fig. 308.
An annual, clover-like forage plant recently in troduced from Egypt and now being grown experi mentally in the United States, especially in the irrigated Southwest. Its particular recommendations are rapid growth, adapta bility to alkali lands and usefulness i n reclaiming them, high rank as a nitro gen-gatherer, unusual food value and conditioning prop erties, exceptional succu lence, palatability and heavy yield. Berseem is the basis of Egyptian agricul ture, both by reason of its instrumentality in the re clamation of alkali land and of its almost universal use as forage. The plant is two to five feet tall, according to variety, heads whitish, intermediate in size and shape between common red and white clovers. Muscowi, Fachl and Saida are the principal varieties, distinct in form and cultural adaptations. Muscowi is the rankest grower.
There is not yet experience enough with berseem in the United States to war rant definite cul tural directions. Naturally w e t land, even that on which water stands a part of the time, is best. The seed is broadcasted a t fifteen to twenty pounds per acre and harrowed in lightly, as for alfalfa or clover. November plant ings have been most successful in avoiding win ter-killing in southern Arizona, the plants being one-half to one inch high when the first frost comes. One cutting is smured in April and one in May, after which the plant succumbs to increasing heat. Pr.luent irri gation is required. Harvesting is the same as for alfalfa or clover.
The principal American literature to date is the United Stab.s Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry Bulletin, No. 23. (See also Tri ',Hum Altrandrinum, under Clover; also, page 79.) .4 ndropogon Sorghum, Brot. var. technicus (Sorghum rulgare, Pers. var.) Graminecr. Fig. 309.
By C. Ti. Warburton.
Broom-corn belongs to the grass family and to the same species as sorghum, kafir corn and Jerusalem corn. It differs from other varieties of the species in having the seeds borne in panicles with long, straight branches. The seed-head or panicle, known to growers and manufacturers as "brush," is the valuable part of the plant and is used for the manufacture of brooms of all kinds. There are
two groups of broom-corn, the standard and the dwarf, varying only in height of plant and char acter of brush. The standard grows ten to fifteen feet in height, with a brush eighteen to thirty inches long; the dwarf grows but four to six feet tall, with a brush one to two feet long. The dwarf broom-corn is used most largely in the production of whisk and other small brooms, while the stronger brush of the standard type is used in carpet brooms. Many varietal names are given both dwarf and standard types; they differ but little, however, and in reality but the two types are grown.
Area of cultivation.
One essential in the production of broom-corn of good quality is dry, clear weather when the brush is maturing and during the harvest season. Rain at this time causes discoloration of the brush and a consequent deterioration in value. For this reason, the central Mississippi valley and the plains of Kansas, Oklahoma and the Panhandle of Texas are best adapted to the growing of this crop. The regions of greatest production are central Illinois, central Kansas and western Oklahoma, Illinois growing the standard sorts and Kansas and Oklahoma the dwarf varieties.
Culture.
With proper climatic conditions, any soil which will produce good corn is adapted to broom-corn. To secure a crop of uniform quality, it is essential that the land should be uniform. As the plants grow slowly at first, the field should be in good tilth and as free from weeds as possible.
The land should be prepared as for corn, but planting should be delayed until the soil is thoroughly warmed. In the sections where broom corn is largely grown, the planting season includes May and the first half of June. The rows of standard broom-corn should be three and one-half feet apart, and of the dwarf sorts three feet, with the plants three or four inches apart in the drill. About two quarts of seed are required to sow an acre. Planting may be done with an ordinary corn-planter, using sorghum plates, or with a grain drill having part of the holes cov ered. Cultivation should be frequent and shallow, using the harrow or weeder early in the season and any of the shallow-run ning cultivators later.