FLAX 217 



pancake flour. It is used in the whole or ground form for the feed- 

 ing of poultry, hogs and other livestock. The straw is of little 

 value, except for bedding and manure. The crop is often grown 

 to be turned under as green manure. The flowers yield much honey 

 and are valuable as bee pasture. 



The plant is a native of the Caspian shores of Asia, but has 

 been grown in all civilized countries for many years. About fif- 

 teen or twenty million bushels of buckwheat are annually produced 

 in this country, more than half of this coming from New York 

 and Pennsylvania. 



It prefers a deep black soil and a cool moist climate as the 

 grain matures. It is usually drilled or broadcasted in early sum- 

 mer after the weather is warm. This condition favors the early 

 growth of the young plants. The crop will mature seed in less 

 time than the small grains, only eight or ten weeks before frost 

 being necessary. The plants continue blossoming and producing 

 grain until frost time. The crop is then harvested. This is done 

 by the use of an old-fashioned reaper or a common mower. The 

 thrashing may be done at any time after the stems are thoroughly 

 dry. The grain is usually Backed and allowed to stand in a well 

 aired place, as there is danger of its heating if stored in large quanti- 

 ties in bins before very cold weather. 



i 



FLAX 



Flax is grown both for seed and for fibre. The plant belongs 

 to a distinct family from the true cereals. It bears a light blue or 

 purple blossom. Pollinating is chiefly carried on by insects. The 

 stems are somewhat branching and many flower heads are produced 

 at a height of about twelve to twenty inches. A long tap root is 

 formed, this being harvested with the plant for the best yields of 

 fibre. 



For the production of seed North Dakota, Minnesota and South 

 Dakota are the leading states of this country. Soil rich enougn 

 to grow good corn will also produce good yields of flax. The soil 

 is prepared much the same as for early spring wheat, but the seed- 

 ing is usually done in May or a little earlier, about two to four 

 pecks of seed per acre being used. For the production of the best 

 fibre about twice as much seed is used/ This prevents the plants 

 from branching so much. The seeding should be done with the 

 grain drill, but broadcasting is somewhat common. If the crop 



