196 FARM CROPS 



moist enough to germinate the seed. When sown 

 in early spring, it will usually be ready for pastur- 

 ing in about eight weeks. Some have got very 

 large yields by cutting the crop rather than pas- 

 turing it. If you cut it, do not cut too close to the 

 ground, for if this is done the plants oftentimes fail 

 to produce a second crop. If cut 4 or 5 inches 

 above the ground as many as three crops a season 

 can be had from one seeding. When seeded in early 

 spring it may either be sown in drills or broad- 

 cast. Usually the best results are obtained when 

 drilled in rows from 2 to 2,^/2 feet apart, just wide 

 enough to allow a cultivator to pass between the 

 rows. If cultivated two or three times the weeds 

 are kept down and the rape will make a much more 

 rapid growth. If drilled, about 2 pounds of seed 

 an acre should be used, but if broadcasted use 

 double that amount. Never sow anything but the 

 Dwarf Essex variety, as it is the best. Sometimes 

 farmers have been deceived in buying rape seed, 

 and got a kind that did not make much growth and 

 blossomed early. 



Rape will grow and do very well on a variety of 

 soils, but the largest yields and most satisfactory 

 results are obtained when it is produced on a rich 

 soil containing a liberal amount of vegetable mat- 

 ter. When sown alone and in spring more rape 

 will be grown than is possible by any other method, 

 as oftentimes three crops a season can be obtained 

 by suth a practice. Many farmers have succeeded 

 in getting two crops off the same ground by sow- 

 ing rape seed with oats or in the cornfield at time 

 of last cultivation. Such a practice is frequently 

 followed by good results, but if the season be very 

 dry, the rape may not make much growth. It is 



