PLANTS OF THE BRASSICA GENUS. 147 



manure in conjunction with a light application 

 of artificial fertilizers is probably superior to a heavy 

 application of either alone. On lands which require 

 such treatment superphosphate is oftentimes drilled 

 in with the seed, but not in too close proximity to it. 

 Nitrogenous fertilizers, on which rape feeds rav- 

 enously, are usually applied on or near the surface, 

 and just at the time of sowing the seed or later. 

 But in moist weather only should nitrogenous ferti- 

 lizers be applied on the surface. 



Sowing. Rape seed is sown by one of two 

 methods, that is to say, it is broadcasted, or sow r n in 

 rows far enough apart to admit cultivation between 

 them. The second method is preferable when land 

 is possessed of only moderate fertility, when it is 

 foul with weeds, and when the period of growth is 

 short. The cultivation stimulates growth some- 

 times in a remarkable degree, and cleans the land. 

 The first method will answer very well, however, 

 when the land is reasonably clean and rich, and more 

 especially in moist climates. Where the seed is 

 sown in rows, these are placed variously from 

 twenty to thirty-six inches apart, according as there 

 is present a prospect of an average or more than an 

 average crop. The stronger the growth the wider 

 apart do the plants require to be. 



In some instances the drills are raised. In 

 other instances they are made on the level. 

 When raised they are commonly made with 

 a double mold board plow with a marker on it, 

 to mark the line of the next plow furrow. The 

 raised drills render cultivation somewhat easier, 

 more especially when the plants are young. But 



