BUCKWHEAT 



593 



TABLE XIX. DATES OF SOWING AND HARVESTING BUCK- 

 WHEAT IN DIFFERENT STATES 



It is seen from these dates that the time of sowing buck- 

 wheat is well along in the season, after all danger of frost 

 is past. This is necessary since the crop is greatly in- 

 jured by the least frost. Also if sown early, the major 

 part of the blossoming, which begins when the plant is 

 small and continues for a long period, may take place 

 during hot weather and blasting may result. Although 

 the true cereals will germinate when the soil has a temper- 

 ature of 4-5 C., buckwheat will not germinate at 

 a temperature below 8-9 C. A temperature of about 

 15 C. should be awaited before seeding takes place. 



As seen above, the growing period, or period from seed- 

 ing to harvest, is about 80 to 85 days. An average of 

 conditions in 20 states indicates that the period from 

 general sowing to general harvesting is 84 days. 



661. The rate of seeding buckwheat varies from 3 to 

 5 pecks to the acre, the usual amount, however, being 

 4 pecks. If for any reason the germination is low, the 

 rate should be increased. The minimum amount may be 

 used where the seed-bed is in good condition and weather 

 conditions are favorable, and a drill is used for sowing. 



Buckwheat may be sown with a grain drill or broad- 

 casted and harrowed in. The latter method is probably 

 2 Q 



