The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-10-17
FARMER AND PLANTER
Bg0KWHEAT lN THE SOUTH.
a gompnrntive1y Neglected crbp,
ana one g which southern Soils
and climate are adapted.


and climate are adopted.
-
Tbs buckwheat crop Of the southern
states Is comparatively speaking Q
small One Why this should be Is one
q the mysteries that IS diHcult to ac-
count for, because soil and climate are
suitable and those who grow It report
faYOrably upon its proftableness. 1t is
also q crop which is not exhaustive to
the SSH Our sandy soils Of the south-
aFn states give good results with buck
wheat and q larger return in grain
than almost any small grain that we
grow with the possible exception OF
rice II IS also a crop that resista
drNught and hot weather remarkably
well, Its root system being such that Il
goes down deep after moisture Ia dry
weather, thus penetrating the subsOtl
and Improving the capillary action Of
tho soil for future crops. 1t Is also q
remgdV for Insects in the soil, more
particularly the wire and cut worms
vine work such havoc with all crops
Of a ~succulent nature, and is valuable
as a correction for our soil. Some Of
our soils are apt to turn soul and a
sure sign Of this Is when sorrel takes
possession Of spots ia the field. But
By blowing this sorrel under and
planting buckWheat on the land re-
duees the aeeidity. Some Of our truck
ing sections are beginning to find that
with continual heavy fertilizing Of the
onupa, their soils are beginning to be
disappointing in yield and quality.
They have been following the system
az the one crop all the time until now
nature seems to rebel at the same
treatment year In year out and de-
manGs a change. In those cases., moth
ing will restore the soil like a few
croBs Of buckwheat, either pIOwed un-
der when tWo-third ripe or cut and
harvested, and the stubble plowed UNI
der.
III some sections Of the country,
buGkwheat. is looked upon as a catch
cr0n. because it natures so quick and
can be grown after another crop has
been harvested. In that case it fills a
want felt all over this section, because
there are times when q crop OF this
nature is called for. The straw OF the
,Cop. IL harvested in the orthodox fash
aoR. Is not recommended for stock food
and lis most useful function Is as 9
bsdalng for stock, but the grain makes
mn any loss we may sustain for lacl
" forage, in that it is excellent fee'
3 ell stock, particularly mich cow
and young stock and as food ToF poul
try. it Is unsurpassed,
The preparation Of the soil for
rToD of this nature must be thorough
for moro depends on the first ploWin
than the NEST Of farmers Will ac
knowledge. The blowing must 3
5eeD and well done not any cut-and
aover system will do. The most OF GU
FARMERS will have to learn sooner 9
Yefag that they must quit scratchin
ara % to blowing if they expect
qgem M with the procession and g
4be er5p from the land that the
s6o,l5 get After the soil is we
nlowsd from four to six hundrt
bounds per acre Of a high grade ferUl
izer should be broadcasted n WORK,
into the soil by narrowing or some ~
~ way most convenient and enecIV
ThIs fertilizer should anaiyze-s
three per cent. nitrogen, eight per Gel
r-bosDboric acid and ten per cent pc
eqb This grade seems high, but
gbows the analysis Of what the pla
demands for it's proper deyelopmel
rrho aeed can either be broadcast
gT11lea If the soil Is heavy and sCih
~ nature. Drilling is recommend
bosaDse then the crop can be cultlVs
~ end the crust formed BY rains pro
N m On sandy soils, broadeastins
rso9mmended. but seeding must
nssv4or and a weeder or light harF'
o 10 rim over the crop at intervl
n fhe weather Is too dry OF TOO /"
r,e harvesting OF the crop Is quite
~ Il one has not got a binder 70
tr5s wo4k. 1 find it quite o sausL
~. Wv TO cut with a mower 9
Tolia ike hay, and put in shock
thoroughly, when It can cas-
"a threshed same as oats. Craallhs :
nutting In bundles Is preferred
sowe ana while this way IS very q
f eTtaiIs quite a lot Of heavy ana
srr,c,,g work. which every 1arI
-boDl8 try TO avoid as far as posslD
TS,osa Few remarks on this very
,artant crop win, I trust, stimulat
feW more farmers to plant a. ~
small acreage Of 1t this year WV
lrDgw they will be pleased with u
s-lte And In getting seed, be sure
49, IA Japanese variety, as II y
best IN every way. oryAppu
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