BUCKWHEAT. 299 



may be distributed broadcast or sown in drills, but in either case should be covered deeper 

 than wheat, rye, or any of the other cereals. It should be followed with the roller, a process 

 which some farmers repeat when the plants are four or five inches high, if the ground is dry 

 and not very compact. This is thought to give support to the roots and increase the vigor of 

 the stalks, as well as to destroy insects. 



The quantity of seed requisite will vary according to the nature of the soil, from two to 

 three bushels per acre being the usual allowance when sown broadcast; when drilled, about 

 a third less. &quot;When sown early, or on light and mellow soils, a less quantity is generally used 

 than for rich land or late sowing, yet many of our most successful farmers use only from 

 one and a half to two bushels per acre, according to the nature of the soil. A less quantity 

 than formerly is at present sown in the cultivation of most grains. The Hessian fly, smut? 

 and rust are sometimes liable to attack this crop, but not as frequently or to the extent that 

 they do wheat. 



Harvesting. The harvesting of barley should be done seasonably, or as soon as the 

 grain is fully ripe, since it is more liable to shell out in the field and waste than any other 

 grain ; but, on the contrary, if cut too early, and before being fully matured, the kernel will 

 shrivel. The thin-skinned grain, which is considered the best, will sometimes have this 

 slightly shriveled appearance when fully matured, owing to the thin coating of the kernel, 

 but the distinction between this and the immature seed can easily be seen. The husk or 

 coating of some varieties of barley is too stiff and harsh to shrink, and will often look smooth 

 when the contents of the berry are considerably shrunken, and can only be detected by care 

 fully cutting open and examining a few grains. &quot;When harvested at the right time, it is much 

 brighter than when allowed to stand longer in the field, as it will then assume a dull, brown 

 color, which will often affect the market price of the grain. It should be well dried in order 

 to prevent heating after being stacked or packed away in the barn. It is a good plan to put 

 the bundles in small stacks for a day or two to be exposed to the sun, the same as wheat, but 

 they will require careful handling not to shell out the grain, and all exposure to rain should 

 be avoided. 



BUCKWHEAT. 



THIS &quot;cereal is a native of Central Asia and the basin of the Volga, and has been 

 known and cultivated for ages in different portions of the civilized world. In this 

 country and Europe the flour is used as an article of food for human consumption, 

 being employed mostly in making cakes, for which it seems especially adapted, and which are 

 considered quite a luxury in many portions of the country, where &quot;buckwheat cakes &quot; with 

 maple syrup have attained considerable celebrity as a supplementary breakfast-dish, to be 

 enjoyed during the coolest season of the year. &quot;When properly ground, the flour is as white 

 as that of the best quality of rye. In grinding, the outer covering of the grain is entirely 

 removed. Buckwheat is a valuable food for poultry, and when mixed with corn is much 

 used in fattening swine. It will also fit up a horse quickly with a fine sleek coat. When 

 well cured, the straw makes good fodder for sheep and cattle, and when spread upon land 

 will rapidly decay, and make a valuable fertilizer. Corn should never succeed this crop in 

 rotation, as it rarely does well when this plan is followed. It is often employed as a fertilizer, 

 its rapid growth admitting of turning under two crops in a single season. 



It is of less value than clover for this purpose, but will grow on soils that will not pro 

 duce clover; therefore is employed in renovating very poor lands. It will thrive on the hard- 



