437 



is in good condition and free from weeds, it may be sown broadcast 

 at the rate of three to live pounds of seed per acre. If the land is 

 wet, however, rape should be sown in raised drills, when one or 

 two pounds will be sufficient. The time for sowing the seed will 

 vary with the object sought, and the climate. For soiling purposes 

 it may be sown in May in the states bordering on Canada, and cut 

 or eaten off when it is sufficiently advanced. It will grow up again 

 and may be used a second time in the same manner, but ordinarily 

 the best results are obtained when it is sown during the latter part 

 of June or the first half of July. When put in earlier, the hot suns 



FIG. 5. Sedge (Carex retrorsa). 



of August seem to hasten its maturity, and the yield is not satis- 

 factory. If sown in drills, it should be cultivated as long as a horse 

 can be driven between the rows. Sheep may be pastured upon a 

 field of rape by cutting it up into small pens by means of movable 

 hurdles, so that different parts of the field may be depastured in 

 rotation. Cattle should not be turned into a field, because they will 

 trample and destroy much more than they eat. Rape fed to cows 

 increases the tiow of milk, and there is less danger of the milk being 

 tainted than when turnips or turnip tops are fed. There is consider- 



