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1 May, 1899. ] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 329 
complete development. Sun is eminently the source and maintenance of all 
animated life. Far from being a slayery—as some people call it from 
€troneous notions—light outdoor work is eminently suitable to women’s 
health. Without it, the German and Swiss women, so much pitied recentiy by 
the editor of this Jowrnal,* could never have give birth to the sturdy sons of 
William Teil or the heroes of the more recent Franco-German war, or that 
class of fine men on whom we must also depend here to maintain and increase 
the superiority of the race. 
Those who have taken the trouble to follow the series of articles I have 
published in the Jowrnal will have remarked that under a variety of subjects 
they all tend to the same end: to enable an increasing population to make a 
living on the land by means of mixed farming and the cultivation of varied 
crops. It is really gratifYing to find how increasing is the number of farmers 
who fallin with the views expressed in them. Maize, millets, and sorghum, 
as well as pumpkins and sweet potatoés, are being regularly grown as summer 
crops. Cow-pea is being tried everywhere in small patches, and will ere long 
occupy a conspicuous position in our system of husbandry, &c. Other articles 
will follow on crops suitable for the winter season; but to-day it is desired to 
attract attention to another summer crop, which is so far very little known or 
cultivated in Queensland, although it should have a place on every farm. 
BUCKWHEAT, 
The buckwheat is not a wheat at all, not even a Graminea, as its strange 
English name seems to imply. The French call it Je Sarrasin, thus showing 
that they attribute at least its introduction into Europe to the Saracens, with 
whom our ancestors used to carry on warfare during the Crusaders’ expeditions. 
Botanists think it originated on the high plateau of Central Asia. Buckwheat 
belongs to the Polygonea family, as does also rhubarb, although it differs 
greatly from the latter in appearance and properties. : 
The ordinary Buckwheat (Polygonum phagopyrum) is an annual with 
fibrous roots and a herbaceous erect stem which rarely exceeds 2 feet in height. 
Its leaves, which are cordiform and acute, are rather widely spaced on the 
lant. ‘The flowers, which are of a white colour, proceed from the axils of the 
eaves. ‘he seeds are of a peculiar treble angular form with a white starchy 
kernel surrounded by a thin brown envelope. In shape they remind one ot 
the beech-nuts of the old country, although considerably smaller. The tissues 
of the plant are rather aqueous and soft, which causes it to decompose rapidly 
when buried in the ground as green manure, a purpose for which it is well 
adapted. 
Phe nectar of the flowers is considered to be excellent as bee food, 
especially for black bees. They open only successively for two or three weeks, 
which allow the bees to work on them fora long time. That point, though, 
is a drawback to the farmer who grows for seed, as these latter do not ripen 
too evenly. They shed also easily. Notwithstanding those few drawbacks, 
buckwheat is one of the most useful plants a farmer can grow. 
When shelled by a small handmill made for the purpose, or by a very” 
simple device which ought to be found in every flourmill, the seeds form a most 
excellent and wholesome food for man. It is mostly used in the form of 
porridge or boiled and eaten with roast meat. This is the component part of 
the celebrated Polish dish, the Trazy, one of the most exquisite things known 
to gastronomy. When turned into flour, it is used for pancakes and other 
pastries, which are both nutritious and digestible, never causing any acidity in 
the stomach. A sort of bread can also be made of it, but this is not to be 
recommended, as it does not rise so well as wheaten-flour bread. 
—— 
* We did not express any pity for the continental farm woman. We merely said that 
the British farmer does not wish to see the women of his family doing field work, We have often 
seen and talked with German, Swiss, and French female farm labourers, and always found them 
in their own country singularly happy and contented with their lot.—Ed. Q..4.J. 
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