29 

 New Japanese Buckwheat. 



The grains of this buckwheat are nearly twice the size of 

 those produced by the ordinary American varieties. The 

 yield is very large — one quart produced two bushels of seeds 

 on the poor sandy soils of Auburn. The plant throws out 

 numerous branches on all of which flowers are developed, 

 and the stem is stout and tall. Planted early in the season 

 the crop will mature rapidly, and may be harvested in time 

 to permit the use of the land in the same season for another 

 crop of a different nature. The flour from the kernels is 

 fine flavored and is equal in all respects to that obtained 

 from the best grades of American buckwheats. 



Buckwheats are not often seen as far South as Alabama, 

 and I have many times thought experiments should be made 

 to determine whether the crop could be profitably cultivated 

 in the lower belt of the Southern States. The results of 

 the past season's trials are so remarkable and satisfactory 

 it is deemed best to call attention to them and advise the 

 farmers of the State to add this, grain to the important crops 

 of Alabama, 



Flat-pea, {Latliyrus Sylvcstris.) 



This plant rnay be truly termed a sub-soiler. The tap 

 roots penetrate deep into the soil, and the droughts, unless 

 very long continued, fail to produce any material effect on 

 the plants. This pea is a perennial, and, on ordinary land 

 will grow to a height of eight to ten inches the first year. 

 Light frosts do not kill the tops and the roots remain alive 

 in the soil throughout the winter months ready to throw 

 forth a strong, vigorous growth in early spring, thus yield- 

 ing a valuable forage and good grazing for cattle. Cows and 

 horses greatly relish the cropping at any time but especially 

 so before the other plants have put forth their foliage. 

 Grown from the seed it requires some care to secure a stand, 

 but after it takes good hold of the soil the growth becomes 

 vigorous and rank. Experiments conducted on the Botani- 

 cal grounds of the College indicate that the flat-pea is a 



