Situated at the head of Palmer's Channel, which separates Palmer's Island from the mainland on the Lower Clarence, is the home of Mr. Albert Marsh, a hard-working and prosperous farmer. It is not very many years since he started out 'on his own’ and, he says ‘with practically nothing’ and rented the farm of which he is now the owner. As on many other tenant farms in various parts of the State, the house, if such it might be called, and other farm buildings, were tumble-down rookeries, and scarcely fit to accommodate a farmer and his family. So one of the earliest improvements after his first crop had been planted was to build a house that would be a home for himself and young family. It very soon became apparent, however, that to pay his rent and effect such permanent improvements would never make him a wealthy man, and there was always the glorious certainty of having his rents substantially raised as the natural result of the enhanced value of the property through these improvements carried out in his own time and at his' own expense. Accordingly, after a few years, he decided, in renewing his lease, to include the option of purchase, at a stated sum. His capital was limited, but with a determination that characterises the pioneer, he resolved to cease paying rent,and had little difficulty in obtaining the extra capital' to' complete the purchase.
Sugarcane formed his principal crop, and, at the time of the sugar gumming [a disease] some years back, dark clouds began to appear on the horizon. Fortunately for him they passed over without breaking, but it meant the denying of' himself and family of many of life’s luxuries and some necessities to avoid disaster. The uncertainty and the long time of two years in maturing the cane crop, together with the struggling, resulted in Mr. Marsh seeing the folly of putting all his eggs in the one basket, and attention was then directed to the growing of broom millet. With this crop he had had considerable previous experience. The soil of his farm produced millet that would be hard to excel. The want of capital and the doubt as to the permanence of millet as a profitable venture prevented up-to-date millet cleaning and bailing. appliances being procured. It, however, soon became apparent that a considerable sum was annually lost through not being able to hold on to supplies till high prices ruled towards the end of the season, or through possibly striking a glutted market, and an attempt was made in the direction to manufacturing his own material into the commercial product. In this respect success has attended him all along, and to-day a prosperous little business has been worked up, which could, if necessary, be developed into far larger and more substantial proportions.
The income from the farm is now derived from cane and millet. Some 10 acres are devoted to the broom millet section. The variety that has given best results is White Italian. Here, as is the case almost everywhere, labor conditions have to be contended with, and so the area under treatment is confined to as much as can be effectively dealt with by himself and grown-up sons. Instead of planting the whole area at once, as many millet growers do, Mr. Marsh divides his time into sections of about two acres each. The first planting is done in September, and at intervals of two or three weeks successive sowings are made. Later planting in, say, December or January, is not recommended, as the crop invariably matures in the damp or wet autumn, which renders satisfactory curing practically an impossibility, and is always associated with losses. For this reason planting has to be so timed that the crop will mature in good harvesting and curing weather, and the early planting in September or October usually gives, the best results. A number of separate sowings at regular intervals is recommended for two reasons : — (1.) It enables the owner with limited labor at his disposal to complete the cutting and curing of one section before the next is over ripe, whereas if the whole area were to be dealt with at once much of the crop would be utterly useless. (2.) The separate successive sowings always ensures more even results should there be any prolonged period of dry or other unfavorable weather. It thus happens that one sowing might suffer from such causes, but it seldom happens that a series of sowing made at intervals will result in failure.
It is estimated that the present cost of growing an acre of broom millet is £4, but Mr. Marsh claims that with the introduction of new and modern farm implements he will be able to reduce the amount to about £3. The brush, after harvesting, is hung up on wires in a large airy shed, when the Clarence summer readily dries it ; but the protection of the shed from the fierce sun's rays saves the color. Tho seed is an acquisition. Something like 30 bushels per acre are obtained the whole of which is fed to pigs and poultry, and, though no comparisons have been made, it is evident that the profits obtained from this source must go a long way towards paying for the cost of producing the brush. The millet, after grading, is packed securely in large, deep cases as close fitting as possible, and closed down till required to make up. This method, together with a good family of cats, is effective in guarding against the havoc caused by rats and mice, and also ensures the fresh colour being preserved for an indefinite period. A number of the appliances used in the manufacture of brooms are original, but nevertheless effective. For example, the guillotine for cutting the millet end of the broom, is made from a couple of old corn-sheller wheels, a double crank-shaft, and portion of an old crosscut saw. It does its work quite as effectively and expeditiously as the modern implement. It is well known that the farmer need have no idle moments on his farm. It is certainly tho case here. The broom making can be proceeded with at any time of the day or year. The whole of the produce of the ten acres, which averages 10 cwt. per acre, is stored for use when required. Work is temporarily suspended while crops are being sown, cultivated, or harvested, to be resumed when field labour is slack, or wet weather prevents such work from being proceeded with. The past season was particularly favorable for millet, and too much hurl was produced. A quantity of shorter millet is needed for the inside of the average broom, and dry seasons usually result in this class being produced.
From 1 ¼ lb to 2 lb [pound] of millet are used for a single broom, according to quality. The handles are made at the sawmills at South Grafton from pine grown in the district. The turn over of 5000 brooms annually, though small from a city manufacturer's point of view, is certainly very creditable for a farmer, and, since the whole of the labour is confined to the one family, Mr. Marsh considers that he secures not only good prices for his millet but he obtains in addition the freight charges, middleman's and manufacturer's profits also. No difficulty is experienced in disposing of the whole of the output locally; in fact, the demand cannot be supplied. So satisfied is Mr. Marsh with the profits of broom millet that ho intends at an early date to erect large and substantial curing and storage sheds, and instal a quantity of improved broom making machinery. A few years ago Mr. Marsh had practically nothing; to day he is the proud possessor of two farms aggregating 130 odd acres, and a profitable income from sugar and millet brooms. He has a family of eight to support, and his comfortable cottage, surrounded by clumps of bananas, mango, and other fruits, and a garden alive with rich, bright-coloured flowers, certainly makes the place home, and
gives to it an air of peace and contentment
From the ‘Richmond Express and Casino Kyolgle Advertiser on Friday, 18 October, 1912. By Coaster. Published as ‘Broom-making on the Farm'
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