638 



THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



To minimise this risk other foods should be available. It may be wise 

 to have a crop of rye, barley, or wheat in one portion of the paddock, upon 

 which they could graze in conjunction with the rape. Quick-growing ryes, 

 oats, and barleys can be sown to advantage with the rape, 15 lb. of rye or 

 other cereal. and 3 lb. of rape being sufficient seed per acre. Care should 

 be taken during moist, windy weather, as stock are more liable to bloat upon 

 such fodders at such times. If any are bloated, Stockholm tar placed in the 

 mouth, or bicarbonate of soda given as a drench are good correctives. 



If scouring is induced by the over-succulence of the fodder, the stock 

 should have access to a dry grass paddock, or be fed partially upon dry hay 

 or chaff. 



Sheep Depastured on Rape. 



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In cold districts growth may be suspended throughout the colder months. 

 Upon clay soils in districts of heavier winter rainfall, the tramping of the 

 stock would interfere with the satisfactory conditions of the soil for its 

 growth. Under such conditions, the sandy friable soils would be preferable 

 for winter grazing. 



KALE. 



The several varieties of kale belong to the same family as the cabbage, 

 but do not form hearts like the latter plant. The open leaves and tender 

 stalks possess considerable feeding value, whether used for soiling cattle or 

 for grazing sheep. Kale is also an excellent feed for pigs and poultry, or as 

 a green vegetable for humans. It thrives well in districts which are suffi- 

 ciently cool and moist, but its cultivation is not recommended in the hotter 

 and drier parts of the State. 



A well-drained soil should be selected for the crop, and the land brought 

 to a fine tilth. Seed should be sown in drills as soon as the frosts have 

 ceased; or plants may be raised in a seed-bed and transplanted. The latter 

 method requires less seed, but, of course, entails much more labour. Green 

 fodder will be obtained from April to October of the following year. To 

 avoid tainting milk, it should be fed to dairy cattle just after milking. 



The best known variety is Thousand-headed. Jersey Tree is a tall- 

 growing sort, and fairly well liked. Both these are preferable to Marrow 

 Kale (Chou moellier), which has too large a proportion of stem to the leaf 

 growth. 



