PERSIC ARIA TRIBE 103 



country, and is common as a weed on cultivated lands, or on heaps of refuse 

 and in waste places. 



The native country of the Buckwheat is Asia, and it was introduced into 

 Europe about the early part of the sixteenth century, or probably earlier. 

 Its old name of Saracen Corn, and its French name of Bled noir, or Bled 

 Sarrazin, have led to the belief that it was brought from Asia by the 

 Crusaders; but this inference may be incorrect, for maize, which is an 

 American plant, was long known in some parts of Europe by the name of 

 Turkish Corn. Our name of Buckwheat is derived from the Beech-tree, 

 which is in Germany called Bitche, or Buke, and in Denmark, Bcig ; and it 

 was given from the resemblance of its seeds to the mast of the Beech-tree. 

 In Germany the jjlant is commonly called HeidenJcorn (Heath-corn), because 

 it thrives well on dry heathy ground. Beckmann remarks of the Buckwheat, 

 that there is reason to believe this grain must have been common in many 

 parts of Germany in the sixteenth century. In a Bible printed in Low 

 German, at Halberstadt, in the year 1552, entitled "Biblia Dudesch," the 

 translator, who is unknown, renders the passage in Isaiah xxviii. 25, by, 

 " he seyet Bockwete " — he soweth buckwheat. Luther translated it, " He 

 soweth spelt." That Buckwheat was cultivated in England in 1597 is proved 

 by Gerarde's Herbal, and in the latter part of the sixteenth century it is 

 well knovv'n to have entered into the food of the poor of France. 



Gerarde remarks of the Buckwheat, " It is very common in and about 

 Namptwich in Cheshire, for food for their cattle, pullen, and such like. It 

 likewise growcth in Lancashire and in some parts of our south country, as 

 about London in Middlesex, as well as about Kent and Essex." He calls the 

 plant French Wheat and Bullimony, and says that in France it is termed 

 Dragt'e aux chencmx ; and in Germany, Buckemveide. The plant is cultivated 

 as bread-corn in China, and in other countries, and is largely grown in some 

 parts of Europe, as in Germany and Holland. 



The cultivation of Buckwheat has never been very general in this 

 kingdom, as it is believed not to bear well our spring frosts or winter's cold ; 

 but it is a plant of which the crop is soon gathered, and it need not long 

 occupy the land. It has been sown more in the counties of Norfolk and 

 Suftblk than elsewhere, and in these parts of England it is called Brank. 

 Professor James Buckman, who in 1854 related the results of several, 

 agricultural experiments, remarks : "I imagine that the oolites would form 

 good soils for the growth of Buckwheat from seeds. I have -had little 

 experience of it in an economic point of view ; but if found useful, from the 

 facility with which it may be grown, it might become a profitable plant for 

 the corner of a garden or field." 



The seeds are the best food that can be given to poultry, and are said to 

 be nutritious to horses. Pheasants are remarkably fond of them. The flour 

 yielded by them is made into bread in other countries, and the farmers of 

 Germany and Holland have various dishes made of it. The hasty puddings 

 prepared with Buckwheat-flour, milk, and sugar, are said to be delicious, 

 and good pancakes are made of this flour. In England it is only used for 

 cakes, pastry, and crumpets ; for, though fine and white, its deficiency of 

 gluten renders it less suitable for fermented bread. The flowers are much 



