ROOT CROPS 297 



although it is less easily injured by fall frosts. It is reputed to 

 be able to get its food supply from relatively insoluble forms of 

 commercial and other fertilizers, hence to grow well on new 

 lands or those containing large quantities of organic matter, 

 and on land fertilized with coarse manure or rock phosphate. 

 (C. A. 406) 



It germinates and grows rather rapidly, hence weeds usually 

 cause little trouble. In fact, it is recommended as a weed de- 

 stroyer. 



"An excellent treatment for a foul field is to plow thoroughly in late 

 summer or early autumn and seed to rye or some other forage crop to be 

 pastured off during the fall, winter, or early spring. When the crop has been 

 pastured sufficiently, and before the weeds have produced seed, plow again, 

 plant rape in drills and give thorough cultivation. There are few weeds that 

 will survive such treatment, and the land will - have given profitable returns 

 in forage in the meantime." x 



Rape may be sown in drills preferably 28 to 35 inches apart, 

 and given inter-cultural tillage, or may be sown broadcast or 

 drilled with grain drill as for cereals at any time from May to 

 August inclusive in Canada and the northern United States. 

 In general, drilling will be best for early seeding, while broad- 

 casting will be sufficient for later seeding. It is ready to use 

 in eight to ten weeks after seeding. In the southern states it 

 may be fall sown for winter pasture. 



It may be sown after early maturing crops are removed, in 

 maize at the last cultivation, or in the spring with oats. 

 (C. A. 406) Since it is usually grown for summer and fall 

 pasture, the location of the field will generally be more im- 

 portant than the place of the crop in the rotation. 



376. Value. "Among all forage crops possible and profita- 

 ble of cultivation in Canada none seems worthier of a more ex- 

 tensive use than rape. It is simple of culture ; it makes a strong, 

 rapid growth ; it adapts itself readily to different soils and to 

 various climatic conditions; it responds vigorously to fertilizer 



1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 164, p. 13. 



