BROOM-CORN. A plant of the order Gra mineic, generally regarded as a native of the East Indies. It is cultivated in the United States and southern Europe for the manufacture of brooms and whisk brushes, which are made from the open, long-rayed panicles. It is a variety of the same species (Sorghum saecharatum) to which donna, kafir corn, common sorghum, and other plants belong. The chief difference between this and other varieties of the species consists in the greater length, strength, and straightness of the fine stems composing the panieb'. The plant has a jointed stem growing S to 12 feet high, and hears clusters of two and three spikelets on the ramifications of an open panicle. The cultiva tion of broom-corn in the United States is much older than the cultivation of common sorghum. Conditions of soil and climate suitable for maize are also adapted to this plant. The greater por tion of the annual production is furnished by New York. Illinois, Kansas, and Nebraska, hut it is grown in a number of other States. It is
planted in hills about IS inches apart in rows from 3 to 4 feet apart. A yield of 500 pounds of the brush or material for brooms is considered an average crop. When the panicle is nearly full grown the stalks are broken over at a point 12 to IS inches below the head. This position of the panicle tends to keep the brush straight. The heads are harvested before the seed is fully ripe, and while the brush is still green. They are cut off with 6 inches of the stalk, the seed is then removed by hand or machine, and the brush is cured in the shade to preserve its color and strength. The brush is pressed into bales weigh ing about 300 pounds. The United States exports broom-co•n to different countries. The broom corn produced in southern Europe is inferior in quality. As a forage crop broom-corn is not very important. For illustration, see BRAZILNCT, Plate.