CROPS. 535 



be grown in a nursery, and transplanted. In case of transplant 

 ing, the crop is usually much better, and the oil made from it of 

 a superior quality ; but the labor and expense are considerably 

 increased. When sown broadcast it is sown very thin, and 

 cleared out so as to leave the plants about one foot apart. When 

 sown in drills, the drills are more than a foot apart. When trans 

 planted, the plants should first be grown in an ample seed-bed. 

 and set out at the distance of a foot from each other in double 

 rows, the intervals between the double rows being eighteen 

 inches. The land is ordinarily laid in stitches, on which four or 

 six rows may be planted j the land in the intervals dug out with 

 a spade, and laid on the bed in the autumn, and in the spring 

 this dirt levelled, the soil gathered up round the plants, and the 

 whole kept thoroughly clean. 



In December, when the ground is frozen, it is sometimes 

 watered with liquid manure from the urine cistern in which the 

 rape cakes have been dissolved ; and this manuring is sometimes 

 repeated in the spring, to the great advantage of the crop. This 

 liquid manure is sometimes applied most beneficially immediately 

 before sowing the crop. Wood ashes are likewise recommended 

 as a manure ; and some farmers in Germany, when the plant 

 presents four or six leaves, give it a dressing of plaster or gypsum. 

 Marl on light soils is likewise extremely beneficial ; this is car 

 ried on to the land in a season favorable to this work, and then 

 spread and distributed by a harrow. 



The seed is often sown broadcast ; but it is very prejudicial 

 to the crop to sow it too thickly. There are three different 

 modes of transplanting the crop ; first, by a spade, when the 

 workman makes the hole by plunging the spade into the ground 

 to its full depth, when, pressing it from himself, children, who 

 work with him, place two plants in the hole ; then, withdrawing 

 the spade, the earth falls back upon the plants, and a pressure of 

 the foot between them finishes the operation. Or a dibble or 

 planter may be used, which makes two holes, into which the 

 plants are placed, and the earth closed up by hand ; or a furrov.&quot; 

 may be struck with a plough, and the plants laid along in the 

 furrow on the side of the furrow slice, and a second passing of 

 the plough will throw the dirt directly on the roots of these 

 plants, there being a workman to follow the plough to relieve 

 plants, which have been too much covered, or to cover those 



