Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-07-10
BuckWheat.

! it is not yet too late to SOW buckwheat
This plant is not largely cultivated in New
England. 1t belongs to an order of plant.
Hnown knotweeds. There are three cult
waited species, the seeds of which when
ground arc used as food for man. Of these
1nly one, that commonly known with Us as
1uckwheat, is raised in this Juntry Anoth-
species is raised in Italy, and third in
Jhina.
Buckwheat remains in the ground so short
time that it may be raised in high northern
attitudes. lt is seldom cultivated south Of
tennessee and North Carolina 1t succeeds
best on light soils, but will do well on al
most any soil except a heavy clay. Before
sowing. the land should be well plowed
and lightly narrowed No further prep,r,-
zion is necessary. About three pecks of seed
per acre Is usually considered sufficient
though many SOW bushcl broadcast Good
crops have often been obtained after a crop
II barley or other early grain has been taken
rom the land Some, indeed. sow It II
august, with winter wheat. When ready for
harvest ting, 1t may be cut with the scythe or
with the cradle. The latter is the better
method, because 1t is more readily gathered
nto bundles and bound, when it is allowed
to stand and dry on the field. If wown witt,
4 common scythe and allowed to lie in the
swarth it is quite apt to shell out, and con
siderable loss occurs. Ii dries quite slowly.
but when ready to store it should be imme-
lately tbreshed, not only TO avoid Smelling
and loss, but because, if packed in consid-
cradle quantities it is likely to heat and be-
come injured The yield varies from twenty
TO forty bushels according to soil and cult.
vation.
but IL IS as green crop to turn in for ma
nure that we intend to speak of it. As
Srcen manure it is not equal to clover, but it
possesses some advantages over the latter one
Of which is its rapid growth 1t NAV often
be sown after some other crop early in JuIv.
and when In blossom plowed in as a prepara-
ton for seeding to grass or winter wheat. or
some other grains 1t is no doubt beneficial
Tor this purpose, on all soils, especially those
deficient IN organic matter
If you have piece of land from which an /
early crop is taken, and which it is designed
TO lay down to grass, say early in Septem
her, or at any time this fail, why let it lie /
lallow TOR a month or two when YOU could |
SOW on buckwheat and have a large burden
Jf green stuff ID turn under when blowing.
TO prepare the land for grass seed Some
times farmer has his pi.ns made 10 SOW
grass seed with oats in the spring. He may
prefer TO sow oats to any other crop for some
'eason or other. Now as work is ALWAYS
irwin g in the spring. often too driving to adj
lit Of laying down land with sufficient care.
Why could Mt he SOW his ats alone, saw II,
April, take them off in July, harrow over the
hubble or 90 over it with horse hoe. SOW
n buckwheat and then when it is in full
blossom pillow it IN 1t would more than pav
OF the seed on most coils, and the cost over
nj above the seed is but trifing. We can
ot afford to lose sight OF any means to add
0 the fertility of our land, and this we think I
one Of them. and it is worthy of consider
loughman.