American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-08-06

Buckwheat is one of the most valua-
bic of our cereals. both for table use
and rs food for stock. The ordinary
black or gray variety has been the only
sort grown until within a few years, and
careful culture of the silver hull has
demonstrated that it is in every way
ti1uch more valuable. especially for the
Indispensable "griddle cake" 1t is
much more productive and yields under
the same conditions larger crops. The
hCsk is thinner and there is much less
waste in the manufacture of flour which
is winter and more nutritious. Buck
wheat, with the exception of barley, is
less exhaustive to the soil than any of
our small grains, although many think
otherwise, but since it will grow on
grains would hardly yield the seed sown
seems to be sufficient proof that such is
the case.
This grain does well on both light
and heavy soils and may be sown from
the 5th of July to the 25th in time to
ripen before early frosts. From three
pecks to bushel is sown to the acre,
the former quantity if the soil is in good
condition. There is no crop grown on
the farm that is so easily grown as this,
while the yield will average from ten to
twenty bushels to the acre. 1t is great
exterminator of all kinds of weeds and
foul grass, and for this reason may be
sown on land where such intruders need
to be rooted out. Some farmers after
moving a crop of grass pillow and sow
to buckwheat and in the spring follow
ing set to tobacco, very good way
since the land will be free from weeds
during the culture of the weed" with
the exception of the springing up here
and there of the seeds of the wheat left
at harvesting.
To the farmer who fattens many
hogs this grain will be found very val
liable. 1t is heating and, therefore,
valuable for winter food. 1t should be
mixed with corn, or with corn, oats
and rye and at least two-thirds of any
'.grist'' should be other grains. To the
poultry breeder it is indispensable and
is not exceeded in value as valuable
food for fowls unless it be refuse wheat,
while many think it equally good. 1t
will stimulate the production of eggs,
while its warming and heating qualities
render it valuable during the cold, win
ter months. The straw by many is
burned on the field, but stock will eat
it in the yard if fed occasionally a small
quantity. while if cut fine ant, sprinkled
Will HtGlt lucdl IL oo itu iCbot
three or four times a week, thereby
saving large amount of more valuable
fodder.
This grain is raised in all parts of
New England, and in New York, Penn
sylvania and Ohio is a staple. New
York and Pennsylvania produce two
thirds OF the crop grown in the country,
while some of the western States pro-
duce small quantity. Large quaint
ties of the grain are Toured, and our
large cities and towns, more especially.
use it largely during winter. and it is to
the families of New England and the
Middle States at the breakfast table
what hoe cake is to the Southern
or. Almost every farmer has some
ground adapted for its culture, and it
will be found profitable crop to grow.
We know of an old farmer who stacks
his buckwheat straw after it has been
threshed in one corner of his barn-yard
for his stock to feed on when turned
into the yard during the winter. We
asked him if his cattle would eat is.
"Oh, yes was the reply. when turn
them out for the first time and they 90
20 the stack to feed. get Il whip and
drive them away, and holler at them
whenever | see them around it, and in
This way they eat it all up."-Co-
Springfetd Glass } Republican.