Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-23
GWOrtestcr Daily Syn.
BUCKWHEAT'


The following will be found, by the q neral
agricultural reader to contain great deal of
interesting as well as useful information on
on the subject of buckwheat.
Its Origin and HiSto,y.-Buckwheat or liter
ally 6eech-wheat-sO called from its seed re-
sembling in shape the mast of the beech-is
conceded by all writers to be a native of Cen
trail and Northern Asia, though the time of its
introduction in Europe is differently stated.
Some say 1t was brought by the Moors into
SPAN IN the eighth century, others that it came
with the Crusaders in their return from the
,doy War in the twelfth and be that as it
,say it Is certain that it has been cultivated in
England about two hundred and fifty years
Its triangular grain, rro.shaped leaves, and
fragrant, purpliSh white flowers, are too well
known to require more particular description.
Introduction and Product IN the United States
1t was first cultivated in the United States by
the Dutch on the Hudson, and the Swedes
on the Delaware. 1t is mentioned among the
grain products in the former, as early as 1926 /;
and Kahn, the Swedish naturalist, who visited
this country in 1748, speaks of it as found
growing in Pennsylvania New jersey ana
New York. These states still produce large
share of the product of the country-in 1856,
two-thirds, or some 100000 of bushels. Its
cultivation, however, is rapidly extending
through all the northern and north western
states, and the national product for 1856 may
be estimated at 5000 600 of bushels, large
share of which is consumed by the producers
and their immediate neighbors
Varieties Of BuckWheat. belongs
to the Persicaria tribe-that commonly cult
waited is botanically known as the polygondm
tdgoPyrum Among its varieties are blue or
Canadian buckwheat," very popular some
ten years since in Eastern New York and
Pennsylvania, and the "Scotch Gray" now
generally grown as far as we acquainted.
A variety called Indian buckwheat (P. tdrtdri-
cum) is grown to some extent in New England,
for fattening swine, not producing flour palat-
able as human food. The kernal is harsh,
course and nearly ovate, and the product often
large, yielding on rich, new soil one hundred
bushels per acre. But half bushel per acre
of seed is required, and it may be sown from
May until August, though early sowing is
most advisable The flour, ground without
boiling, is nearly the color of the sulphur
Soils and CultWe-Almost any soil will pro-
duce buckwheat but it seems best suited with
light, warm lands of moderate fertility. 1t is
as well adapted as any grain TO low, moist
lands, which dry off late in the spring, and
suffer from drouth during the heats of sum.
mer when early sown; grain requires most
moisture 1t terminates quickly, and soon
throws out sufficient roots and leaves to secure
supply of water, both from the soil and at
mosphere. The cultivation usually is simply
TO plOw the land after greensward early in the
spring, then harrow or gang at the time of
sowing. This grain is often sown on ground
infected with weeds, which it is desired to sub
due; in that case more thorough preparation
should be given, that the entire surface may
be entirely covered. In all cases it is best to
have the ground in fine filth, and generally to
roll after narrowing in the seed. Though
buckwheat will grow without manure, it feels
the application as quick as any other plant
and corresponding increase i'll growth is
produced. Plaster and ashes exert an imme-
date influence and benefit.
Time Of So,0ing - amount Of Seed.-The
time of sowing is usually between the LIST and
2Sth of July, though it may be sown earlier
as soon as danger from late frosts is to be fear
ed no longer. Early sown buckwheat is liable
to be blasted by the heat of July and August
late sown is equally exposed during the drouth
often occurring in September, and in addition
to this early trosts may cut it off ere it begins
to ripen. The cultivator must suit his own
convenience in this matter-remembering that
some lands are sooner affected by drouth and
frosts than others. The amount of seed most
generally sown is one bushel per acre, but it is
better to employ less than more, especially on
the better soils. The great fault in sowing
this grain is that too much seed is given.
Back,oheat to Destroy JVeeds.--Buckwheat is
a cleansing crop to the soil, and is often sown
mainly for the purpose of clearing the land of
weeds, and fitting for the higher cereal grains.
Its roots penetrate deep into the soil, which
tends to its pulverizaton and the outrageous
character of its growth, spreading over the
surface, almost tOrbidS any other plant, how.
ever strong its foothold, from growing beneath
its branches Hence it is invaluable on every
Il If hut
moist soils, most likely to be infested with
weeds and bushes, and less easily worked for
other cleansing crops. Even Canada thistles,
those pests of the farm, cannot contend sue
cessfully with successive crops of this grain.
Plow thoroughly a soon as the soil is sufii-
GENTLY warm for rapid vegetation, sow on
buckwheat and it will start at once and soon
get above the sprouting thistles, and keep
above them through the season. Thus shad-
ed, they can scarcely grow, and the same
course followed a second season will almost
entirely eradicate them. Some farmers sow
buckwheat one year, following with oats, and
seed to clover, with excellent effect in purify
ing the soil. 1t is generally found that corn
cannot be grown successfully after buckwheat;
why, we know not.
Buckioheat as a Misunderstanding where
clover will not flourish, and in % short
time, first to pillow under in six or eight
weeks,) thissplant is often employed as a reno.
water of exhausted soils. The copious foliage
and easy decomposition of the stalk, together
with its depth and extent of roots, and the
source whence it derives the greater portion of
its supplies, render buckwheat crop peculiar.
ly favorable for this system. Three crops
may be plowed under in single season, and a
single crop equals in effect a dressing of ma
nnre applied at considerably greater cost
Harvesting and 1hreShing. Though the bios
SONS continually forming will produce grain
as late as the season will allow, that first ri
pened is the heaviest and most valuable. 1t
should be cut, perhaps, as soon as the lower
leaves begin TO die and with the cradle, if
possible. If frost should appear, and any
portion of the grain be ripe, it is best to har.
vest at once. After cutting the swaths are
raked into small punches, and set upright with
the heads twisted together-leaving each bun
die to stand alone, the butts spread and resting
upon the ground. Rain Injuries it but little,
if thus treated and it may stand several
weeks, or until thoroughly cured.
"Buckohedt Pancakes. 1.-The great end of
buckwheat culture in this country is to fur
nish material for pancakes, which probably
form part of the winter breakfast of a large
share Of the native population of the northern
portion of the Union. They have become
with many the established institutions" of
the country, and the "area" of their influence
is rapidly extending.
Use as Stock Feed, etc.-By itself, this grain
is not generally valued very highly for feeding
stock, unless it be for poultry. Mixed with
oats, and ground, it furnishes cheap good
food for horses, especially if not required to
labor hard. Some dairymen recommend it as
an excellent material for stopping mich cows
Mixed with other grain, it is excellent for fat.
tenlng hogs, and even the bran is found to
contain large per centage of nutritive mat
ter One bushel of bucEwheat is valued as
equal to two bushels of oats for cows or
swine