li.ji; THK FAUMKKS' HANDBOOK. 



Value as a Soil Renovator. 



.Besides its value as a fodder, rape is extremely valuable as a soil reno- 

 vator, and it may be ranked next to vetches as a green manure crop in 

 orchards. Its vigorous root system penetrates the subsoil for several feet, 

 and comparatively large air-channels are formed upon the decay of the 

 tap-roots, which assist materially in the amelioration of the soil. 



Kape, in common with other plants having broad leaves, obtains compara- 

 tively large quantities of carbon from the atmosphere which, when ploughed 

 under, increase the humus of the soil, so essential to the beneficial micro- 

 organisms of the soil that are indispensable to fertility. It also ensures the 

 physical condition necessary to circulation of air. Soils deficient in humus 

 readily get out of condition with heavy rains, and fail to exhibit that live- 

 liness which farmers like to see. 



On account of the vigorous growth allowing numbers of stock to be 

 carried for several months of the year, large quantities of readily soluble 

 plant-food are returned to the soil in the forms of liquid and solid excreta. 



After the crop has been grazed off, the land should be ploughed and the 

 residues turned in. Humus is thus added to the soil, and this, together with 

 the improved physical conditions, allows the soil bacteria free scope for the 

 discharge of their functions. Plant food is thus rendered available to give 

 the following wheat or other crop the fillip in the early stages that is so 

 necessary to vigorous development. 



Some indication of the quantity of feed that rape will supply is afforded 

 by an experiment conducted at Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Five 

 different plots were planted on the 30th March, and on 15th May, less than 

 seven weeks later, various plots gave yields (computed) of 5 tons to Hi 

 tons per acre. 



Suitable Soils and their Preparation. 



The soils best adapted for rape are the rich, friable loams. Those which 

 grow maize and potatoes profitably are very suitable, but with good culti- 

 vation rape does well on ordinary wheat land. 



The land should be ploughed, whenever practicable, some time before 

 sowing, to allow such necessary tillage as harrowing, &c, to be given. 

 Areas cut for hay can be ploughed earlier, and time allowed for the proper 

 preparation of the soil. Better still, however, is the devotion of a small 

 portion of the fallowed land to rape growing. It can easily be understood 

 that a crop of rape will do very much better on fallowed land than on non- 

 fallowed land. 



The surface should be worked down fine prior to seeding to ensure that 

 the seed shall be covered uniformly from \ inch to 1 inch deep. In addition 

 to the thorough working of the land, a roller should precede the drill 

 (especially in dry districts), so that a more even germination may result. 

 The seed, being small, does not germinate when covered too deep. 



In numerous experiments with different varieties, Dwarf Essex has in 

 every instance given the best results from a fodder point of view, and it is 

 the one that must be recommended to farmers. 



Sowing and Manuring. 



In the absence of a seed attachment to the drill the best results are obtained 

 by mixing the seed with superphosphate and sowing through the manure box. 

 Regular and thorough mixing of seed and fertiliser is necessary, as the seed is 

 apt to work to the surface with the vibration, and the sowing to be uneven. 

 For the same reason it is unwise to put in the manure box more of the mixed 

 seed and fertiliser than will sow one acre at a time. 



