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The ufe to which I have hitherto applied the 

 grain hath been moftly in feeding hogs, for which 

 I efteem it equal in value to barley j it is much more 

 eafily and conveniently ground than barley, as a 

 malt-mill will grind it completely. Horfes are 

 very fond of the grain, and poultry of all forts are 

 fpeedily fattened by it. Probably it may hereafter 

 be found a material article in diftillation, fhould a 

 fufficient quantity be raifed with that view. After 

 fpring feeding, a crop of cole-feed, turnip-rooted 

 cabbage, or vetches, there will be fufficient time to 

 fow the land with buck-wheat. Probably, a crop 

 of vetches might be mown for hay early enough 

 to produce a crop of this grain after it.* 



The blofibm of the plant affords food for bees at 

 a very opportune fcafon of the year, when the 

 meadows and trees are moftly ftripped of their 

 flowers. As far as conjecflure reaches, I have feen 

 a greater number of bees labouring at once upon 

 my buck-wheat flowers, than could polfibly be- 

 long to all the hives in ourparilh; and to one fo;,d 

 of rural amufements, the fcene is truly delightful. 

 The Englifli term buck-wheat^ feems to be a cor- 

 ruption. I am rather inclined to think it ought to 

 be heech-vcheaty from its iikenefs in fliape and 

 colour to the beech mafl:,alfo from its claffical name 



* Only in hot dry fummerst 



fagopymm. 



