The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-07-09
BUCKW HEAT.

OF all grains on the farm doubtless
buckwheat is one of the most profitable,
since the labor employed in gro wing
and harvesting a crop is not One-halt
that bestowed in the growing and bar
vestihg 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 fiOuriSheS comparatively well on poor
soils and is usually a sure crop TO plant.
Its uses are various and the demand al
ways good. Its use as one of our priRcl-
pal breadstuffS is well known, and hot
criddles" are a necessary appendage to
every good breakfast. particularly dur
ing the winter and spring months
When mixed with other grains, espe-
cially corn and oats, it makes a most eX-
celleut kind of provender. and is greatly
reiished by swine. For winter feeding
it is excellent, as it is of a heating ma
ture. and for this reason should only be
fed in moderate quantities. For poul-
try it is one of the best grains VIC have,
and is only surpassed for egg production
bv 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
=
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.
I The latter sort is claimed by some to be
much superior to the former while 9TH
els who have tested it pronounce it in
feriOr. The silver hull ripens a few
DAYS earlier and continues longer in
bloom, while it is claimed by some
. growers chat the yield per acre IS nearly
T double under the same conditions. The
/ grain is of a fine light color, varying
slightly in shade, and the corners are
much less prominent than in an ordina-
~ variety, while the husk is a trifle
( thinner The flour is whittier, more like
/ wheat, and is quite as nutritious as the
black variety. AS a honey plant it is
quite valuable, but gives a dark color to
the comb and is heavy bodied, but the
flavor IS ordinarily good, though not
equal to that made from white clover.
. The seed should be sOwn from the 1St tC
the 18th OF July, at the rate of from
three pecks to a bushel to the acre. and
should be narrowed ard pushed in. 1t
is rapid growing grain, natures il
September and should b cut before it is
ripe, to avoid Smelling. Cut when the
dew is off, and after the straw is dry
rake into little bundles and stand Oh
end, giving the top little twist so that
the straw will hang together and not
fall over. The yield of good soil is from
fifteen to twenty-five bushels to the acre
the former being about the average
yield. The straw heretofore has beer
considered worthless save Tor bedding
but 2 late experiment made in Steamiue
and adding a little meal has resulted il
proving conclUsiyely that when ted il
small quantities il can be utilized as {
very good mash for stock. There j!
doubtless very little nutTiment in straw
but when sprinkled with the meal ii be
comes valuable and palatabie. 1t il
said TO be of Il lOOSening nature, hence
it may be fed with decided advdntag,
during the winter. A variety of fOOt
for stock is especially valuable, and 10y
occasionally feeding the straw, in con
nectiOn with hay and cat straw, Will n,
doubt result III good farm stock. Al
most every farmer has some piece o
ground adapted To this grain, and Will,
not rich enough for corn and Othe
grains, viii produce good crop of thi
sort of wheat. On new land the crop l.
most abundant, while the grain il
plump and large. We can confidently
recommend the growing of buckwhea
to all who do not ordinarily grow thi
important product. 1t Will help TO elk,
out the other sorts grown, and the re
suit i'll feeding Will be satisfactory
Fuiljl and Friend.