The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-07-22
BUCkWheat.

Of all grains on the farm doubtless
buckwheat is one of the most profitable
since the labor employed in growing
and harvesting a crop is not One-halt
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 tlOurish's comparatively well on poor
soils and is usually sure crop to plant.
Its uses are various and the demand al
ways good. Its use as one of our pTin-
cipal breadStu1s is well known, and
81 hot griddleS' are necessary append
age to every good breakfast, particular
ly in winter and spring months. When
mixed with other grains, especially
corn and oats, it makes most excellent
kind proyender and is greatly relished
by swine. For winter feeding it is ex-
cellent, 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 surpassed 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
Ihe latter sort is claimed by some to be
much superior to the former, while 9th
ers who have tested it pronounced it in
feriOr. 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 I'M
der the same conditions. The grain is
of fine light color, varying slightly in
shade and the corners are much less
prominent than in an ordinary variety,
while the husk is a trihe thinner. he
flour IS winter, more like wheat and is
quite as nutritious as the black variety.
AS a honey plano 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 10Th
of July, at the rate of from three pecks
to bushel to the acre, and should be
narrowed and pushed in. 1t is a rapid
growing grain, natures in September
and should be cut before it is ripe, to
avoid Smelling. Cut when the dew
is OFF, and after the straw is dry
1-,
on end, giving the top a little .
twist so that the straw will hang
together and not fail over. The yield .
on good soil is from fifteen to twenty
five bushels to the acre, the former be-
inc about the average yield. The straw
has been considered worth .
less save for bedding. but a late expert .
ment made in steaming and adding a .
little meal has resulted in proving con- /
that when fed in small quanti-
ties it can be utilized rs a very good .
mash for stock. There is doubtless very
little nutriment in straw, but when
sprinkled with the meal it becomes val .
liable and palatable. 1t is said to be of
a lOosening nature, hence it may be fed
with decided advantage during the win
ter. A variety of food for stock is es-
oecially valuable. and by occasionally
feeding the straw, in connection with
hay and oat straw, will no doubt result .
in good farm stock. Almost every farm /
er has some piece of ground adapted .
to this grain and while not rich enough |
for corn and other grains, will produce
a good crop of this solt of wheat. On /
new land the crop is most abundant, |
while the grain is plump and large.
We can confidently recommend the |
growing of buckwheat to all who do |
not ordinarily grow this important |
product. 1t viii help to exc out the
other sorts grown and the result in
feeding will be satisfactory. Farm and |
Friend
Black hosiery, worked with gold, is |