COMMON BUCKWHEAT 



199 



Classification. There are three species of buckwheat in cultiva- 

 tion (Fig. 74) : 



1. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculen turn). 



2. Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum Tartaricum). 



3. Notch-seeded buckwheat (Fagopyrum emarginatum) . 



The three types are easily distinguished by the shape of grain. 

 In the common buckwheat the grains are about as broad as long and 

 smooth. The Tartary seed is longer than broad in shape, the edges 

 wavy and seed slightly corrugated. The notch-seeded buckwheat has 

 extended wings on the margins, giving the seed the appearance of 

 being larger than the two above, though in reality it is not. 



FIG. 74. Types of buckwheat grain. From left, Tartary, Silver Hull, Gray and Japanese 



buckwheats. 



Common Buckwheat. Common buckwheat may be divided 

 into three varieties, known as Silver Hull, Gray, and Japanese. Sil- 

 ver Hull seed is lightest in color while the plant and seed are smallest 

 in size. The Japanese seed is brown to black in color, and both seed 

 and plant largest in size. The Gray is intermediate in characters. 

 Ordinarily Silver Hull is plumper, smoother, and heavier in weight 

 per bushel than the other two. 



In yield per acre, the Japanese usually exceeds the Silver Hull 

 or Gray, and at present is most extensively grown. It is not un- 

 common for growers to mix the Silver Hull and Japanese, as it is 

 thought, in case of hot, dry weather, the taller Japanese will protect 

 the blossoms of the smaller variety and insure against blasting of 

 the flowers. 



