BUCKWHEAT, fagopyrum, a genus of plants of the natural order (q.v.), or, according to many botanists, a subgenus of polpyonum, distinguished by the central embryo, and by racemes of flowers grouped in panicles. COMMON B. (fagopyrum eseulen tom, or polygonum fagopyrum) is a native of the basin of the Volga, the shores of the Caspian sea, and many parts of central Asia, from which it is said to have been intro duced by the Moors into Spain. and thence to have extended over Europe, in many parts of which, and in some places in Britain, it is now naturalized. Another account represents it as having been brought to Europe by the crusaders. In France, it is called ble &Irrosin, or Saracen wheat. It is cultivated on account of the farinaceous albumen of its seeds, which are used, as grain, for food of man and cattle. It is upright, branched, 1 to 3 ft. in height; the leaves are between heart-shaped and arrow-shaped, the flowers pale red, the seed (nut) black and triangular, the angles even (not toothed). The resem blance of this seed in form to the beech-alit is supposed to be the reason of the German name bueliwezen (beech-wheat), from which the English name is derived. B. is a very common crop in some parts of Europe, and of the United States of North America; but is seldom sown in Britain, except as food for pheasants. It requires continued dry weather in autumn for profitable harvesting, and this in the climate of Britain cannot well be reckoned on. In Germany, 13. is much valued as a crop, particularly for moor lands and other poor soils. In Bretagne. also. it is as extensively cultivated as wheat. It yields very abundantly, and requires little attention and little manure. Forty bushels or more per acre may he expected, weighing 46 or 48 lbs. per bushel; and notwithstand ing the resemblance of the seed to grain in its qualities and uses, wheat, or any other cereal crop, generally succeeds well after 13., if care has been taken to keep the land clear by tilling. The seed is most frequently used in the shape of groats, or made into pottage, and in the 'United States thin cakes are very often made of it. It is very nutri tious, containing about 10 per cent of gluten and 52 per cent of starch, besides about 6 per cent of gum and sugar. It is said to be as good as barley for fattening cattle, and better for horses than oats. But as the seed is covered with a very hard rind or thin shell, it [mist always be shelled before being given to cattle. Poultry are very fond of it. Beer
is sometimes brewed from it, and it yields a spirituous liquor of good quality; indeed, it is frequently used in gin-distilleries. As green fodder, the herbage of the plant is said to be more nutritious than clover; hut it acts as a narcotic on sheep. Bees delight in its flowers, and in some parts of the United States it is sown on this account. In America the seed is usually sown broadcast over the land which has been plowed in autumn or early spring and well scarified or harrowed. About a bushel and a half of seed is required when sown broadcast, hut a bushel is sufficient if drilled with a machine. In the latter case it should not be sown in narrower drills than one foot apart, but 2 ft. is recommended as being better for the succeeding crop, as the wider intervals can be properly cultivated. It should not be sown in England before the middle of May, as the least frost is injurious. When the lower seeds are ripe it should be mown, as they are easily shed out if allowed to stand too long. When bread made from B. forms the_ principal food of the people, It is thought to have an injurious action on the brain. As a supplementary article, however, it is a favorite among all classes where it is raised.— TAHTAItIAN B. (F. or 1'. Tatarieum) is distinguished by the toothed edges of the seeds and its more vigorous growth. It is hardy, and adapted for cold situations. It is a native of Siberia. It is very productive, but the seed falls out when ripe more readily than that of the common species; and the flour is darker colored, and somewhat bitter. --NOTCH-SEEDED 13. (F. or P. ema Thud?, m) is said to be a native of China. Its seeds are larger than those of common 13., and their angles are winged. When grown in Britain, many of its flowers are generally abortive.—PMENNIAL (F. or P. cymosum)is a native of Nepaul, very vigorous in its growth, but producing. at least in Britain, comparatively little seed.—The triangular black seed of Climbing 13. or hlackbine (F. or P. eonvolrulu.9), familiar to every one who has eaten natmealTakes or porridge, greatly resembles 13., but is smaller. The plant—a very common weed in gardens and cornfields in Britain—also exhibits much similarity, notwithstanding its different habit and twining stem.—DvEn's B. is Polygonum tinetorium. See POLYGONE/E.