BUCK-WHEAT. 37 



viduals and the community, resulting from the general use of malt 

 liquors, analogous to and in many cases rivaling those which follow 

 in the train of ardent spirits." 



It is indeed true, that the beer-bibber suffers deeply, becomes 

 heavy, stupid, sullen, and approaches in body and mind more nearly to 

 the swine than does the gin and whiskey drinker, and who, if he feels 

 flattered by the comparison, may be said to exhibit more resemblance 

 to the tiser or mad dog." This, as well as the convictions of every 

 man of common sense, as to the nature and effects of malt liquors, may 

 be viewed in connection with the language of the interested, though 

 reputedly eminent men we have previously quoted. 



The amount of liquor distilled in the United States, in 1840, was 

 36,343,236 gallons, and the number of distilleries in the United States 

 was 9,657. Pennsylvania distilled 8,784,138 ; Massachusetts 5,177,910 ; 

 New York 4,008,616 ; Indiana 1,786,964, and other states less. The 

 amount of Wines of all kinds imported in 1840 was $2,209,176 ; the 

 amount of spirits from grain $420,069 ; do. from other materials $1, 

 172.495; the amount of beer, ale and porter in casks and bottles was 

 $135,485. The gallons of wine made here was 286,638; of which 

 Ohio made 161,844. The total number of gallons cannot be seen from 

 the price, but the amount, of beer made is seen to be small from the 

 small amount of barley raised in the U. States. But sufficient may be 

 seen from the above facts, to stimulate the friends of temperance, both 

 in the U. States and G. Britain, to increased and continued efforts. 



BUCK- WHEAT, Brank or Beech Wheat, Polygonum 



fagopyrum C 3, O 3, sp. 36-60, Dh. A. 2 ft The last 



popular name of this plant is said to be a corruption of 

 the first from Beech and corn. The fruit is a dark colored 

 triangular grain, of increasing importance in this coun- 

 try. It was first brought from Asia to Europe, and was 

 cultivated in England in 1600. It was first used as food 

 for poultry, etc., but it is mostly used here, when ground, 

 in making a fine light cake, much esteemed both by our 

 countrymen and foreigners. Buck-wheat cakes, well 

 prepared, are indeed a delicacy, and are, and long have 

 been much eaten. 



A late British writer, of acknowledged authority in many other mat- 

 ters relating to srains, says, however, the seeds are rarely used as hu- 

 man food in any country and never so employed in England." Whatever 

 the reason may be for this assertion, it is well known to be untrue 

 as regards buck-wheat in this and several other countries. It is used, 

 says Loudon, in cooking and bread-making in various parts of Eu- 

 rope, to make cakes and crumpets in England, and as rice or gruel in 

 Germany," etc. In China and the East it is cultivated as a bread- 

 corn. The seeds are used in Germany for puddings, and in other 

 4 



