CHAPTER XXII 

 BUCKWHEAT 



IN this country buckwheat is, in point of production, 

 the least important of the grain crops. The grain is 

 always in good demand, however, for human food, and it 

 is an excellent crop in a rotation or for the renovation of 

 land in poor condition. Its cultivation is at present 

 limited practically to the territory north of Tennessee 

 and east of the Mississippi river. 



Buckwheat is not accurately a cereal, but belongs in 

 the smartweed family of plants (Polygonacese). Never- 

 theless the grain is so commonly used as food that it is 

 classed commercially among the grain crops. 



642. The root system of buckwheat is of the kind known 

 as a tap-root system. It consists of a central or primary 

 root which extends downward to a considerable distance. 

 This primary root is thicker and stouter than the lateral 

 roots which arise from it. The lateral roots may be 

 divided several times, but altogether the plant does not 

 develop a large amount of root. This system is different 

 from that of the true cereals in which no tap-root is found. 

 In development the tap-root first penetrates the soil for 

 some distance, forming no laterals. Later on laterals 

 are formed, beginning at the upper portion of the main 

 root. These lateral roots continue to develop until 

 maturity, although the main root ceases development 

 before this time. 



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