1904 Oklahoma Broom Corn
Information from the 1904 Souvenir Edition - of the Alva Pioneer, Friday, Jan. 1, 1904, Vol. 11, No. 16, by W. F. Hatfield, Alva, Woods Co., Oklahoma. W. F. Hatfield, Publisher Daily and Weekly Pioneer editor, sold the "Souvenir Edition" in 1904 for 50-Cents. It was printed to celebrate Alva's tenth anniversary since the opening of 1893.)
A Short Talk As To How To Raise and Care For Broom Corn. J. P. Duncan, who had spent a number of years with the firm of Duncan & Tarbox, at Arcola, Douglass County, Ill., which is claimed to be the best broom corn section in the world. He located at Alva, August, 1903, and bought a part of last years crop; he was surprised at the good grade of corn and fine color, and says when Woods County's farmers prepare themselves to care for their harvest of corn, that they can produce a better grade, and so much cheaper, that they can make Illinois use their high priced land for other crops.
In caring for corn you must have sheds. Corn should be pulled in the morning, taken to the shed, thrashed and put on slats in the afternoon, let it lay until it becomes partially dry, then bulk down. After it is in bulk awhile it goes into a sweat, or case, which retains its color and weight, also prevents the fibre from becoming harsh and brittle.
Corn cured in the sun looses all vitality dries and swivels up. Damaged corn always loses one half in value. It is of no interest, when it comes to dollars and cents to broom corn buyers to put themselves to trouble to induce the raiser of corn to care for his crop, but it makes a better market and the price for good corn is always certain., If the corn is damaged in the least it is a direct loss to the farmer. The better the corn the greater the demand and higher the price.
In Illinois they raise their broom corn on land that is valued at $175 per acre, and have to plow it two or three times. The average cost of production per ton being $45. While Woods county can produce a better grade of corn without plowing and at a cost of only $20 per ton. (This was back in 1903.)
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