Additional Crops for Cows and She^fp. 15)) 



sheep, and some remains to give sets for further planting. It 

 appears that if the stems are allowed to get big and old, 

 animals will only pick off and eat the leaves and the younger 

 shoots ; when cliopped, however, animals took all greedily, and 

 it has proved itself an excellent cow feed. Inquiries made 

 have proved that it has done well under many conditions, and 

 it is evident that there is yet much to be learned as to the best 

 method of consuming the crop. Among reports come to hand, 

 showing in what various waj^s the crop has been treated, 

 Mr, Scambler, of Swavesey. Cambs., has stated that his plot 

 was invaluable to him last summer ; he fed his young calves 

 on it green, going over the ground three times, mowing it low 

 down, and getting bulk exceeding that from lucerne or any 

 other crop two or three times over. The calves were fond 

 of it, and thrived well. Mr. J. Mawby, in the Spalding 

 district of Lincolnshire, cut his with a scythe six times 

 during the summer, the first cutting being before any other 

 fodder plant was ready. He fed his mainly to horses. Mr. 

 Overman, in Norfolk, fed his with sheep, which took to 

 it readdy and did well on it. Experience has shown that 

 when mown with the intention of taking subsequent cuttings 

 it is wiser not to cut below 10 in. from the ground, as it then 

 shoots more freely than when mown very close. The instances 

 given show that all kinds of stock feed it readily when properly 

 presented to them, and they do well on it, as is natural with a 

 plant that has such a high feeding value. Analyses show that 

 it is singularly rich in sugar and other food constituents. No 

 one who had masticated a portion of the stem could doubt the 

 presence of a large quantity of sugar. The cultivation of the 

 crop is singularly simple ; in the two years I have grown it it 

 has been ploughed in in rows 2 ft. 6 in. apart, and sets a foot 

 apart in the rows ; in fact it can be planted just in the same 

 way as potatoes, and may be manured similarly. The crop 

 grows to a height of 6 to 10 ft. or more, and has a branching 

 habit with broad leaves, so that when well manured the mass 

 of growth is enormous, and it is not necessary to plant the 

 sets nearer than has been indicated. The planting season 

 ordinarily runs from December to April. Growth is so rapid 

 when once started that weeds get no chance, but hoeing or 

 horse-hoeing or harrowing can be done with advantage until 

 growth shows. Where tubers are required the whole growth 

 should be allowed to die back in the autumn, and the tubers 

 can be lifted any time during the winter and even up to April. 

 In the second year the portions of tubers and rootlets left in 

 the soil will be sufficient to produce a dense growth cover- 

 ing all the ground, and the crop can be taken off as desired. 

 By this means the plant will hold the ground for several years. 



