The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1903-09-26
FARMER AND PLANTER.
BUCKWHEAT IN THE SOUTH.
Comparatively Neglected Crop,
and One to which Southern soils
and climate are Adapted.

and climate are Adapted.
The buckwheat crop of the southern
states is comparatively speaking a
small one. Why this should be is one
of the mysteries that is difficult to ac-
count for, because soil and climate are
suitable and those who grow it report
favorably upon its profitableness. 1t is
also crop which is not exhaustive to
the soil. Our sandy soils of the south
ern states give good results with buck
wheat and a larger return in grain
than almost any small grain that We
grow with the possible exception of
rice. 1t is also a crop that resists
drought and hot weather remarkably
well, its root system being such that it
goes down deep after moisture in dry
weather, thus penetrating the subsoil
and improving the capillary action of
the soil for future crops. 1t is also a
remedy for insects in the soil more
particularly the wire and cut worms
who work such havoc with all crops
of succulent nature. and is valuable
as a correction for our soil. Some of
our soils are apt to turn sour and
sure sign of this is when soTrel takes
possession of spots in the field. But
by blowing this sorrel under and
planting buckwheat on the land re-
duces the accidity. Some of our truck
ing sections are beginning to find that
with continual heavy fertilizing of the
crops, their soils are beginning to be
disappointing in yield and quality.
They have been following the system
of the one crop all the time until now
nature seems to rebel at the same
treatment year in year out and de-
mands change. In those cases, moth
ing will restore the soil like few
crops of buekwheat, either plowed I'M
der when two-third ripe or cut and
harvested, and the stubble plowed I'M
der
In some sections of the country,
buckwheat is looked upon as catch
crop, because it natures so quick and
can be grown after another crop has
been harvested. In that case it fills
want felt all over this section, because
there are times when a crop OF this
nature is called for. The straw of the
crop, if harvested in the orthodox fash
ion, is not recommended for stock food,
and its most useful function is as a
bedding for stock, but the grain makes
up any loss we may sustain for lack
of forage, in that it is excellent feed
for all stock. particularly milch COWS
and young stock and as food for poul-
try, it is unsurpassed.
The preparation of the soil for
crop of this nature must be thorough,
for more depends on the first blowing
than the most of farmers will &C
knowledge. The blowing must be
deep and we'll done not any cut-and-
cover system will do. The most of our
farmers will have to learn sooner or
later that they must quit scratching
and go to blowing if they expect to
keep up with the procession and get
the crop from the land that they
should get After the soil is well
Moved from four to six hundred
pounds per acre of high grade fertil-
izer should be broadcasted and worked
into the soil by narrowing or some 9TH
er way most convenient and effective.
This fertilizer should analyze-say
three per cent. nitrogen, eight per cent.
phosphoric acid and ten per cent. pot
ash. This grade seems high, but 1t
shows the analysis of what the plant
demands for its proper development
The seed can either be broadcast or
drilled if the soil is heavy and stiff in
l.. m q 6p1
because then the crop can be cultivat-
ed and the crust formed by rains brok-
en- I'D. On sandy soils, broadcasting is
recommended, but seeding must be
heavier and a weeder or light harrow
can be run over the crop at Intervals
If the weather is too dry or too wet,
The harvesting of the crop is quite
lob if one has not got binder 10 90
this work. | lind it quite Satlsiac-
tory way to cut with mower ana
rake like hay, and put in shocks 10
cure thoroughly, when it can easily
he threshed same as oats. Grading ana
putting in bundles is preferred by
some and while this way is very good
II entails quite a lot of heavy and Ia
borious work, which every farmer
should try to avoid as far as possible.
These few remarks on this very I'M
DOrtant crop will, | trust, stimulate
few more farmers to plant at least
small acreage of it this year, when
know they will be pleased with the re-
suits And in getting seed, be sure and
get the Japanese variety, as it is the
best in every way.