Macon beacon., 1903-09-26
FARMERANDPLANTER
BUCKWHEAT IN THE SOUTH,
A Comparatively Neglected Crop,
and One to Which Southern soils
and climate are Adapted.


70 and One 60 which Southern soils
70 and climate are Adapted.
y The buohwheat crop of the southerl
= states is comparatively speaking
II small one. Why this should be is on
70 Of the mysteries that is difficult 20 ac
y count for. because soil and climate ar,
* suitable and those who grow it report
> fayorably upon its protitableneSS. Il is
also crop which is not exhaustive tc
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
y grow with the possible exception OF
rice. 1t is also a crop that resists
drought and hot weather remarkably
we'll 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 II is also
remedy for insects In the soil, more
particularly the wire and cut worms
who work such havoc with all crops
OF a succulent nature and is valuable
as q correction for our soil Some Of
our soils are apt to turn sour and a
sure sign of this is when sorrel takes
/ possession Of spots in the field. But
by plowing 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 ferulizing 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 ont and de-
mands a change In those cases, moth
ing will restore the soil like few
crops of buckwheat, either plowed un-
der when two-third ripe or cut and
harvested, and the stubble plowcd un-
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 a
crop of this nature must be thorough
for more depends on the first plowing
than the nest Of farmers will ac-
knowledge The plowing must be
deep and well done NOT any cut-ald-
cover system will do The most Of our
farmers Will have to learn sooner or
later that they must quit scratching
and go to plowing if they expect 10
Keep up with the procession and 5eL
the crop from the land that they
should get After the soil is wen
r.0wei from four to six hundred
pounds per acre Of a high grade ter-.l-
izer should be broa5cas-ed and worked
into the sol. By narrowing or some 9TH
er way most convenient and effective
This fertilizer should a1slyze-say
three per cent nitrogen. eight per cent
p1-z1l5-.e acid AID ten per cent pot
ash This grade seems high. but i-
s--=s --= analysis o. 1la- -1= plant
1a-z-Es s-- 5.s proper Development
--= z==- -z- s..1s- L. 1--z-lzs- o-
t-..s. i the z.. is 1=zTg zl5 s-.E .a
rs -s---a Drilling IS recommended
aa-z .-= t-s- the crap az1 1= c-..Ta-.
81. s-- --= c--s. formed 1T rains br0E-
81 H. r- -s-sr soils. 5-gatcas..lg is