MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 



283 



egg- laying propensities. It is an important honey- 

 plant. The straw is practically valueless. 



Buckwheat is produced in the moister, cooler and 

 more elevated portions of the United States. The 

 center of production lies further north than any of 

 our other cereals. It is easily affected by drought and 

 when sown late is apt to be caught by a frost. 



It will grow on comparatively poor land. Appar- 

 ently soil has less effect on 

 yield than does the climate, 

 although a light, well drained 

 soil is best. In- 

 asinuch as it is 

 sown in June or 

 July it is often 

 sown as a catch 

 crop when some 

 earlier crop fails. 

 From two to five 

 pecks are sown 

 broadcast per 

 acre. 



Japanese Buckwheat. There are three 



cultivated species recognized, but the principal one 

 and the one cultivated in this country is Fagopyrum 

 esculentum. The varieties are not numerous. 



After the plant begins to flower, which is when it is 

 rather small, flowering continues, if allowed, until 

 stopped by frost. The crop is usually harvested when 

 the first flowers ripen seed. 



It is not an especially easy crop to handle. Where 

 the land will permit, a self rake reaper is probably 

 the most desirable implement, otherwise a cradle may 



