11

IOWA SEED CO., DES MOINES, 1OWA

BUCKWHEAT
The item which always offers an opportunity
for a second crop from the grain fields
Not nearly enough attention is paid to Buckwheat by the farmers of the corn belt. It
is too often look ed upon only as a crop of l ast resort, something to fill in when floods,
unseasonable weather or some other calamity has made a shortage in corn land or rendered some plot useless for other purposes for that season. The real value of Buckwheat
is not nearly confined to the purpose outlined. Some western farmers r aise two crops of
grain each summer from certain fields in the rotation by taking off a crop of rye or winter
wheat, plowing the land and sowing Buckwheat in late July or early August and harvesting a second crop of grain in October, equal in value to the first, and handled with only
a moderate amount of labor. Many farmers have the idea that Buckwheat rapidly exhausts the fertility of the soil, but this is not true to any greater extent than any other
small grain. If you use a header in harvesting and permit the Buckwheat straw to remain
on the land all winter, turning the refuse under with the spring plowing, you will really
benefit the soil, rather than rob it of fertility.
Another influence that has retarded the growing of Buckwheat is the reluctance of wes-
ern elevator men to purchase the crop as offered. This difficulty is now readily overcome
by the Farmers' Mutual elevators, and no farmer need fear lack of a market for Buc-
wheat, because the demand is strong arr.ong millers during the winter months.
Many orchardists and nurserymen use late-sown buckwheat as a winter cover crop
among the trees, turning it under in spring. By this method splendid protection is
afforded the trees, fertility is added to the soil and needed cultivation is given and the
result is rapid growth and increased fruitfulness.
As it is generally sown in late June or early July it will fill up the vacant plots on the
farm at a time when all other planting is past and produce a profitable crop on what
would otherwise be waste places. Use about one-half bushel seed per acre.
JAPANESE.-A week earlier than Silver Hull and yields more. Flour is equal to any
other buckwheat, while it is more productive than any other, and succeeds well far north.
The kernels are quite large, but the straw is heavier and it branches more; need not be
sown as thickly as other kinds. Per lb. 25c. 3 lbs. 60c, postpaid.
SILVER HULL •. -Very good , popular variety. Grain is of light gray color, rounder than
the common variety, has a thinner husk, earlier and yields more. It is preferred by the
mills grinding buckwheat fiour, as it makes a smaller proportion of hull to flour than any
other variety. Per lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c. postpaid.
FoR prices of seed offered in this catalogue see the Red Ink Price List enclosed herewith, effective
for immediate orders. Copy of our price list mailed to any of our friends at any time on request.