Of the six simple machines: the pulley, wheel and axial, screw, lever, wedge and incline plane, a combination of the first five make up the mechanics utilized. What are the mechanics of a broom winder and a broom press? Lebanon, NY being in full swing at least by 1805. Growing broomcorn as a garden ornamental and for domestic broom-making for nearly twenty years prior, the community at Watervliet, NY was the first among the Shakers to manufacture brooms in 1798, with the community at Mt. Flat brooms brought about greater sweeping efficiency, and efficiency was of great importance to the Shakers. Round brooms, common at this time, did not cover as much floor space, while sweeping, as a flat broom. ![]() Known for their industriousness and innovativeness, one Shaker member by the name of Theodore Bates is credited with inventing the broom press used for flattening a round broom. ![]() The Shakers, commonly associated with furniture building, were heavily engaged in broom production as well (brooms being one of their signature products), and have an important connection to the brooms we are familar with today. Its commercial production evidently started in 1797 at a cottage industry level in the region of the Connecticut River Valley near Hadley, Massachusetts, and increased quite rapidly over the subsequent years. Broomcorn began to be spottily grown and used on a domestic level in the upper mid-Atlantic and lower New England states, based on farm journal and account book entries, and experienced a gradual increase throughout the balance of the century. Franklin, as well as by those following in his wake, interest in this useful plant slowly took root. they make the Whisk Brushes for Velvet and excellent Brooms." So, whether "the" initiator, as some accounts suggest, or not, promoted by the eminent Dr. Likely introduced from Europe, broomcorn was in America at the latest by the mid eighteenth century as evidenced by a letter sent by Benjamin Franklin from Philadelphia on March 24th, 1757 to Rhode Island statesman Samuel Ward, which in part read "I enclose you some of the grain called Whisk Corn, or Broom Corn. Certain history uncovered records that it originated in Africa. Stalks and hang them to preserve the seed heads until ready for use.Throughout human history sweeping implements made from various natural fibers have been fashioned and used. Is cut, brought indoors, and laid over screens to finish drying. The process of harvesting broomcorn isĬalled tabling because looking out over the field, it seems to look like a bigĪfter several (hopefully dry) days in the field, each stalk Walk backwards through the patch and break stalks in half, If you are growing the plant yourself for the first time, Thoroughly and carefully dried to prevent damaging the tasseled tops. It can be found in bundles at farmer’s markets, craft stores, floral outlets, and even in nurseries where it is sold to attract and feed wild birds.įor any of these broomcorn uses, the stalks must be It could feature prominently in the décor – table displays and even bridal bouquets in fall weddings. Whisks, in floral arrangements, wreaths, swags, baskets, and autumn displays.īroomcorn can be found in its natural greenish hue or in dyed colors. Outside of brooms, the fibrous seed heads are also used as Today, using broomcorn for crafts seems to be all the rage. It was once grown as feed for animals as well asīroom use. The plant needs similar conditions to cornĪnd a long growing season. If you just want to make one broom, a small plot is all you need, but the plants can grow up to 15 feet (about 4.5 m.) high. It is a fairly easy plant to grow, but you need about 60 seed heads per broom. People who like fun and useful crafts make their own brooms from broomcorn even today. These were handmadeįrom wild or cultivated plants such as broomcorn. Consider the modest but indispensable broom. ![]() Our ancestors didn’t have the ability to go to a hardware orīig box store to pick up cleaning tools. Some tips on harvesting broomcorn will get you in a crafty mood. Does that give you a clue as to what to do with broomcorn? The plant produces big, fluffy seed heads that resemble the business end of a broom. Its purpose is more serviceable, however. Broomcorn is in the same genus as the sweet sorghum we use for grain and syrup.
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