The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-06-24
BuckWheat,

l
buckwheat is one of the most profitable,
since the labor employed in growing
and harvesting a crop is not one half
that bestowed in the growing and har-
vesting of oats, wheat, etc. In some
sections of the country, particularly in
Ohio, Pennsylvania and some of the
New England States, this grain is an
important product, for the reason that
it tlOurisheS comparatively well on poor
soils and is usually n sure crop to plant.
Its uses are various and the demand
always good. Its use as one of our
principal breadstuffs is we'll known,
and 'hot griddles" are necessary APP
pendage to every good breakfast, par
ticularly during the winter and spring
months. When mixed with other
grains, especially corn and oats, it
makes a most excellent kind of proven
der, and is greatly relished by swine.
For winter feeding it is excellent, as it
is of heating nature, and for this
reason should only be fed in moderate
quantities. For poultry it is one of the
best grains we have, and is only sur
passed for egg production by refuse
wheat. Buckwheat requires a light,
warm soil, mellow and not over fertile,
and, like beans, when planted on rich
soil the straw is more abundant than
the grain, and therefore too rich
soil is not favorable for large
yield. Properly speaking, there
are, only two sorts cultivated-the
black or brown and the silver hull.
The first variety is mostly planted, and
is excellent for all purposes for which
the grain is used. The latter sort is
claimed by some to be much superior
to the former, while others who have
tested it pronounce it inferior. The
silver hull ripens few days earlier and
continues longer in bloom, while it is
claimed by some growers that the yield
per acre is nearly double under the
same conditions. The grain is Of fine
light color, varying slightly in shade,
and the corners are much less prominent
thansin an ordinary variety, while the
husk is tribe thinner. The -four is
winter, more like wheat, and is quite as
nutritious as the black variety. As a
honey plant it is quite valuable, but
gives dark color to the comb and is
heavy bodied, but the flavor is ordi-
narily good, though not equal to that
made from white clover. The seed
should be sown from the LIST to the 18th
of July, at the rate of from three pecks
to a bushel to the acre, and should be
narrowed and pushed in. 1t is rapid
growing grain, natures in September
and should be cut before it is ripe, tc
avoid Smelling. Cut when the dew il
off, and after the straw is dry rake into
little bundles and stand on end, CIV
ing the top q little twist SO that tho
straw will hang together and not fall
over. The yield Of good soil is from
fifteen to twenty-five bushels to tho
acre. the former being about the aver
age yield. The straw heretofore has
been considered worthless save for bed
ding, but late experiment made in
steaming and adding little meal has
resulted in proving conclusivcly that
when fed in small quantities 1t can be
utilized as very good mash for stock.
There is doubtless very little nutriment
in straw, but when sprinkled with the
meal it becomes valuable and palatable.
1t is said to be of loosening nature,
hence it may be fed with decided adj
vantage during the winter. A variety
of food for stock is especially valuable,
and by occasionally feeding the straw,
in. connection with hay and oat straw,
will no doubt result in good farm stock.
Almost every farmer has some piece of
ground adapted to this grain, and
while not rich enough for corn and 9th
er grains, will produce good crop of
this sort of wheat. On new land the
crop is most abundant, while the grain
is plump and large. We can confident
ly recommend the growing of buck
wheat to all who do not ordinarily grow
this important product. 1t will help to
exc out the other sorts grown, and the
result in feeding will be satisfactory
Farm and Friend.