35 



for planting most of onr crops. Unfortunately winter rape has not 

 been found to be hardy in Massachusetts. Spring i-ape, the Dwarf 

 Essex variety, has been very successfully cultivated and must be con- 

 sidered a valuable catch-cro}). It may be sown either very early in 

 spring to furnish summer pasturage 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 particulai'ly 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 stiiie 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 re- 

 quired ; 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 gi'own as a catch-crop. It is usually jjossible to 

 produce an excellent crop after early potatoes, with comparatively little 

 labor, by sowing broadcast if the land is clean. The uses and value of 

 this crop are too well known to require further notice. 



Spiirry. — 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 at- 

 tention 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 vei-y greatly improved. 

 From six to eight pounds of seed is sufficient. Sj^urry has been grown 

 upon a small scale on the college farm at Amherst but made too small a 

 growth there to render it valuable. 



Vetch. — There are two classes of cultivated vetch, viz., spring and 

 winter. Both are valuable and the winter vetch is hardy on all well- 

 drained soils in Massachusetts. Vetch is suited to medium or heavy 

 soils. Neither the spring nor winter vetch will do very well without a 

 faii'ly liberal supply of moisture. The vetch belongs to the clover family 

 and is a nitrogen gatherer. By means of this crop the soil can therefore 

 be enriched. Both the spring and winter vetch are valuable for fodder 



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

 culture in Washington, gives much valuable information concerning rape wliich 

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

 information to that Bulletin. 



t Bulletin No. 01. 



