MISCELLANEOUS CHOPS. 



63: 



Where it is intended that rape shall be cut as green fodder and supplied 

 to stock, it is advisable to make the sowing much lighter than where it is 

 to be grazed by either sheep or pigs. The drills should then be made 2 feet 

 6 inches to 3 feet apart, instead of 7 inches, and 1£ lb. to 2 lb. of seed per 

 acre sown instead of -i lb. Everything being equal, drilled rape grows 

 higher than broadcasted rape, which is an advantage in cutting the fodder. 



Almost throughout the State, the end of February or the beginning of 

 March is the best time to sow. In cold districts like New England a spring 

 sowing may be made, and poultry-farmers near Sydney can sow a succes- 

 sion of small patches in the spring and again in autumn, but as a grazing 

 crop in wheat districts early autumn is the most profitable season for sowing. 



When grown in small areas there is nothing equal to ordinary farmyard 

 manure for this crop. Unfortunately, this material is produced in limited 

 quantities, and large areas, if manured, must be treated with concentrated 

 fertilisers. 



When rape is sown in rows better results can be ensured by keeping down 

 all weeds by cultivating constantly between the rows. The effect is not only 

 to remove the competition of the weeds, but to conserve moisture and 

 enhance the growth of the crop. 



Feeding-off. 



If the season proves favourable, rape should be fit to graze in about eight 

 to ten weeks after sowing. If there are several paddocks, they should be 

 grazed alternately, one being grazed, say, for a fortnight, and the others 



A Crop of Rape, Bathurst 

 Experiment Farm. 



allowed to recover. Continuous hard grazing is not satisfactory. If 

 there is only one paddock, it should be subdivided and treated as above. 

 Wire-netting and stakes make an excellent temporary subdivision for sheep, 

 and areas of any size may be operated upon, very little labour being entailed 

 in shifting the fence. 



Sheep or cattle should not be turned on to rape whilst hungry; they 

 should be partially fed on other foods first. When hungry they eat raven- 

 ously, and hoven or bloat may be set up, and losses ensue. If it is necessary 

 to depasture hungry stock on a rape crop, they should only be left on for 

 a short time at first, and carefully watched until their hunger has been 

 appeased. 



