Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-06
The Cultivation of Buckwheat

There seems TO be a growing interest IN
the cultivation Of bucAwheat, especially In
Ms use as a cover crop during the summer
kirne 10 be pIoved under In the early au-
turnn to better prepare the land for seed
Ing TO wheat OF other winter growing ce-
reals Most Of the buckvheat grown In
The United States Is raised In what =
known IN the census report as the north
Central division. though II can be grown
with more or less success I'm the greater
part Of the Appalachian region The
narne Ii said TO be Of German origin, be-
lne q corruption Of Buchweisen- which
means beech-wheat, and which II quite
auurourfafe on account OF the shape OF
re seed and their similarity TO those OF
the beechnut.
Buckwheaf Is closely related to several
Troublesome weeds, such as sorrel. smart
weed and the common dock. and Is there
fore not q true cereal according to proper
botanical classification It is an annual OF
urect habits and on rich soil often at
emans = height Of three feet Only one
stem Is produced from each seed, the
plant branching freely instead Of produe-
ing suckers as with many other plants.
The leaves vary from two 20 four inches
n length and are boren on short pedicels.
The flowers are white but are sometimes
singed with red or pink. and are 80 album
dant that a field Of buckwheat usually
presents q very attractive appearance
The grain consists OF single seed en-
closed In a pertcarp known to botanists
As an akene. The hull Is very thick and
varies in color from n silver gray to
brown or black The grains are short.
length, and from Is TO sis OF an inch In
length, and from Is 20 SIS Of an in
width. The legal weight OF buckwheat In
most states il g pounds per busheL Buck
wheat contains about las per cent OF
water per cent OF ash. 10 per cent of
protein, 81 per cent OF crude fiber, G.5
per cent Of nitrogen free extract, and
. per cent OF fat The per cent Of pro-
TEN Is somewhat lower than in the case
OF wheat, and bucaxwheat -four only con-
tains two-thirds as much protein as wheat
four Buckwheat middlings contain
high per cent of protein and fat. and are
much IN demand on that account as food
for dairy cows The huils are very hard
and indigestible and are seldom used as
food for animals
There are three weII-defned species OF
ouckEheat. namely. common or true buck
wheat. noteh-seeded buckwheat, and Tar
tary OF Siberian buckwheat The Tar
tary II cultivated quite extensively In
the northern states, and as It's name indi-
Gates. originated in the mountainous sec
lions OF Asia The common buckwheat Is
the most valuable and widely grown
form II is indigenous TO China and ST.
IBERIA and has been used for food In
these countries from time immemoriai.
II is chiefly consumed by the poorer
classes in foreign countries. but buck
wheat cakes constitute a favorite dish I'm
many sections OF the United States
Although the seed will terminate In .
dry soil and win stand considerable heat,
buckwheat gives Its best results In q
cool. moist climate. Hot, rainy weather
at the time Of seed formation is particu-
larry Objectionable. causing the flowers
TO blast and 50 reducing the yield very
much. Buckwheat natures in a very
short period and Is thus well adapted to
high ATTITUDES and short seasons II will
grow IN a great range Of soils. but those
OF q light. well drained character best
meet its needs. II gives very good yields
on soils that have been badly treated and
seems TO be less affected by the condition
OF the land than BY the season Owing
to its adaptabliity 20 thin lands. II has
come 20 be considered In many sections az
the poor farmers crop. But this is hard
~ a justihabie conclusion. as II can be
used admirably as a catch crop on any
farm under certain conditions. II can
also be planted late I'm the season. which
Is an advantage. and owing to the rapid
~ with which II natures a crop that is
fairly profitable can be obtained from
the land. or the entire crop may be turned
under TO enrich the soil. While heavy
fertilization Is not profitable. light appli-
cations Of commercial fertilizers often
give good results. In the south acid
phosphate and potash viii be the ingredi-
ents chiefly needed. and these can be APP
piled IN one OF several forms 20 suit the
convenience OF the farmer. Four or I'VE
pecks OF seed are generally sown and
distribution may be effected by an or
binary grain drill or by broadcasting and
narrowing In The seed may be sown at
almost any time. varying from June TO
August. To avoid the damage which is
likely 10 occur from hot weather, late
seeding Is desirable in the south. though
time must be allowed for the crop to ma