RAPE. 135 



Fodder: Soy Beans cannot compete with Red Clover as a hay 

 maker in the regular farm rotation but can be used in case some 

 spring crop fails. The hay is of high nutritive value if the crop is 

 cut at the proper stage. This is when the pods begin to develop. 

 If they are advanced, the hay will be woody and unpalatable and the 

 leaves, which constitute the most nutritious part, will be shattered. 

 From one and a half to two bushels of seed to the acre are required 

 when intended for hay. 



Seed growing: If handled right, Soy Beans give a profitable 

 return when grown for seed. As the pods break up when fully ripe, 

 late cutting causes loss, especially with the Medium Green variety 

 which shatters the seed badly. The plants should be cut for seed 

 when the pods begin to turn yellow. One bushel of seed should be 

 sown to the acre. 



Quality of seed: In some varieties the seeds are like peas in 

 shape and size, in others they are twice as large, and in still others 

 they are like small beans. The colour may be yellow, white, green, 

 brown or black. The seed is rich in protein and oil, and can be used 

 in the same way as other concentrated protein and oil feeds. 



RAPE (Brassica Napus L.) 



Botanical description: Rape, especially when young, looks 

 like varieties of Swedish turnips. Its root, however, is not fleshy 

 but is more like the root of a cabbage, penetrating the soil to a con- 

 siderable depth. The leaves are numerous, large and spreading, 

 bluish green, sweet, succulent and tender. The flowers are in a large 

 open inflorescence, bright yellow and about half an inch wide when 

 fully developed. They are fertilized by insects. 



Geographical distribution: Wild Rape is indigenous to nor- 

 thern Europe, where it occurs especially along seashores. It is 

 grown practically all over Europe, in northern Asia, the United States 

 and eastern Canada. 



Cultural conditions: Rape requires a good rich soil, well 

 cultivated and with sufficient moisture. Best results are obtained 

 on clay loams which contain large amounts of organic matter. On 

 light sandy soil or stiff clay the returns are generally small. It likes 



