The Portland daily press., 1868-05-29

In previous article we urged our farmers
to raise this grain as the soil and climate of
our State are so well adapted to such culti-
vation but the subject is so important and
worthy the attention of all who live by farm
ing, that we venture to urge it again. Early
last autumn we visited several of our grocers
and inquired for buckwheat flour, but they
informed us that they had sent orders for it
and expected supply in few days. We
asked if the farmers of Maine did not furnish
it? Their reply was: mo it comes from New
York and Pennsylvania and perhaps Massa-
chusetts might raise some, but wheat that
comes from the two former States is the best |;
from those distant places before we could
have buchwheat cakes smoking upon our
breakfast table. So it is with this Injury as
it is with good many others which the far
mers of Maine might produce, they must be
imported from other States before we can
have the enjoyment of them.
This Is all wrong, and drawback upon
our wealth, If our seasons were too short
for raising buckwheat; if our soil were not
adapted to its growth, then there might be an
excuse for not producing it. But such is not
the fact. Buckwheat will flourish as well
here as in any other State, il
our farmers will only give their attention
to it. And why they don't is more than our
philosophy can fathom or comprehend. We
know our soil and climate are favorable to its
growth. And we can see no earthly reason
why it may not be made very profitable
crop. Although it is not properly one of the
cereals, yet it is elassed among the grains.
In 1860 it was grown in all the States and
Territories except in Florida and Nevada,
and precious little OF it was grown in Maine.
The greatest amount grown in any one State
was 5,572 ,024 bushels in Pennsylvania New
York produced the next greatest quantity,
5,126307 bushels. The whole number of
bushels produced, according to the census
statistics, was only 17,574,S1S, which, COM
pared with other grains, and considering its
comparative value as food for man and beast,
will be seen to be comparatively small.
In 1850 the Southern States produced 253,-
323 bushels against 5361S4 bushels in 1860,
thus more than doubling the production in
ten years. OF this amount Virginia raised
all except 5S,0S4 bushels. There has been a
gradual increase in most of the States which
shows that greater value is beginning to be
placed on this grain as the production of
some of the cereals is attended with more un-
certainty.
According to the analysis of the grain as
published in the Agricultural Report of 1865,
it is found to be compos ed of-water, 14.0;
flesh-formers, 90; fat-folmeIs, 52.1; aceesso-
ries, 23.3; mineral matters 1.6; showing it to
be valuable grain for fattening purposes
The plant is of such nature that it draws
much of its support from the Atmospheric
Its leaves are quite large and come out near
ly the whole length of the stalk which is very
tender, and hence it has many lungs to
breathe in the air and max grow, exhaust
ing the soil but little as compared With most
other crops. 1t can be grown on very poor
soil and sown early in the spring, it makes
an excellent crop to plow under and enrich
the land. Thus sown and turned under in
the early part of summer, it prepares the
ground for good crop the same season. Its
rank, spreading growth will choke and crowd
out noxious weeds and other plants, and
thereby assist in subduing certain soils which
before were almost valueless. 1t leaves the
surface of the soil very light and loose so
that there are many inducements for our far
mers to cultivate this grain. And it is pass
ipo tbay GffIn attention tO NJ
We suppose our farmers generally love
buckwheat cakes, and their wives and dauSh-
tiers love them too and are willing to cook
them; but the thought is sad one that
these cakes if prepared at all for our farmers
breakfasts, must be made from flour import
can make his maple syrup and raise the grain
to make his cakes of and il he does not do it
he must suffer the consequences. 1t is a fact
that there is much nutriment in buckwheat
cakes. To use a vulgar phrase "they stick to
the ribs" and afford an excellent and palata.
| BILE as well as cheap iood.
Now few words about raising 1t and the
best mode oil its cultivation. This plant like
others, has its peculiar requirements, and the
laws that govern its growth must be known
to the successful cultivator or he will be like
| ly to make some blunders. We are apt to
suppose that the early part of summer is the
best time for almost any plant to grow anu
flourish well, but it is not SO WIN
buckwheat To insure its compiete
fructifcation, the cool days anu
nights of autumn are essential. Ii sown ear
" in the season, the plant grows vigorously
and blooms finely, but only few seeds will
form and come to maturity. And why, w
will not stop to inquire. The statement of thu