RAPE. • 31 



ill planting small areas, hut for lar<ror fields a <;raiii drill, with some 

 of the feed hoppers closed to make the rows the desired distance apart, 

 answers the purpose hest. As soon as the plants are sufficiently large 

 they should he cultivated often enough to control the weeds and keep 

 the soil in good tilth. The cultivati(m will retain the soil moisture 

 and tend to keep the plants growing vigorously. Unless cultivated 

 during the dry portion of summer, growth almost ceases until the 

 fall rains come. Kape grown in this way may be used either for 

 pasture or for soiling. 



AVhen rape is used for soiling purposes it should Ih" cut at least 5 

 inches high, so that the plants will have a chance to grow again. Tn 

 from six to eight weeks after planting it should he large enough to 

 cut: by making a succession of plantings green, succulent feed should 

 be on hand throughout the summer. If rape is used for pasture, the 

 best results will be secured by having a number of small fields which 

 are pastured alternately. It may be fed in this way also by means of 

 movable fences. Rape should be from liJ to 14 inches high before it 

 is used for pasture, and hogs should be prevented from rooting while 

 in the field. AVhen rai)e is removed by cutting or pasturing closely, 

 the evaporation of soil moisture is rapid, and it should be cultivated 

 as soon as possible if a second growth is desired. If sown in drills, 

 ^tock will walk between the rows while feeding, and much less will 

 be broken down and destroyed than if they were feeding upon rape 

 that was sown broadcast. A larger yield is also secured by planting 

 rape in rows and cultivating it. 



(2) Another favorite AvaA^ of growing rape is to sow it broadcast at 

 intervals in the spring. The land is plowed and thoroughly Avorked 

 in the early spring, as soon as it is in good working condition, and 

 then allowed to lie until the seeding is done. Just before each piece 

 is sown the ground is cultivated thoroughly again and from 3 to 4 

 pounds of seed sown and covered with a harrow or cultivator. In- 

 stead of sowing the seed broadcast it is sometimes planted w^ith a 

 common grain drill. Rape sown the 1st of May should be ready for 

 pasture the 1st of July; if sown the 1st of June, it should be ready 

 for pasture by the 1st of August. Grown in this way rape makes 

 excellent pasture during the summer, fall, and early winter. 



(3) Another method of raising rape that is popular with many 

 farmers, especially those who raise sheep or goats, is to grow it with 

 clover. The method of doing this has already been fully described 

 in the discussion of red clover (page 16). 



(4) Rape is sometimes sown with oats in the spring on a thor- 

 oughly prepared seed bed. The oats are used for either hay or grain. 

 The rape grows but little until the early fall rains come, after which 

 it is soon ready for pasture. From 2 to 4 pounds of rape seed per 

 acre are sufficient when sowai in this way. 



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