332 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



turage for sheep or cattle, or as a green-manure, or it may 

 be sown in summer, to furnish fall pasturage or as a means 

 of soil improvement. Rape is hardy and will remain green 

 later than most crops, being particularly valuable, therefore, 

 as fall pasturage for sheep and lambs. It is not particularly 

 deep rooted, it cannot take nitrogen from the air, but it is 

 one of the best nitrogen conservers. It is also one of the 

 best plants to keep down or to stifle a growth of weeds. 

 Where the soil is clean and in good condition rape may be 

 sown broadcast, but if the soil is weedy it should be sown in 

 drills. For broadcast sowing from three to five pounds of 

 seed per acre are required ; when sown in drills from one to 

 two pounds are sufficient.* 



English Turnips. — On account of its very rapid growth 

 the English turnip may often be grown as a catch-crop. It 

 is usually possible to produce an excellent crop after early 

 potatoes, with comparatively little labor, by sowing broad- 

 cast if the land is clean. The uses and value of this crop are 

 too well known to require further notice. 



Spwry. — Spurry is a crop not generally known to our 

 farmers. It is, however, prominent in European agriculture 

 and has been grown successfully in some parts of the United 

 States. It grows with great rapidity and furnishes fodder 

 which may either be cut or pastured in from four to six weeks 

 after sowing. It will thrive upon lighter and poorer soil 

 than most crops. It is sometimes at first not liked by ani- 

 mals, but after becoming familiar with it most of them eat it 

 freely. Horses, however, never like it. As a green-manure 

 spurry deserves attention on account of its ability to thrive 

 on poor light soils and because of its rapid growth. It is 

 not a nitrogen gatherer nor is it important as a nitrogen 

 conserver. The Michigan Experiment Station f reports very 

 successful experiments in improving the light sandy soils 

 known in that State as the "Jack pine plains." After 

 ploughing in crops of spurry, following crops of grass and 

 wheat have been very greatly improved. From six to eight 



* Farmer's Bulletin No. 11, issued by the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture in Washington, gives much valuable information concerning rape which 

 might be quoted did space allow, but I am compelled to refer those desiring further 

 information to that Bulletin. 



t Bulletin No. 91. 



