250 SUGAR BEETS AND OTHER ROOT CROPS 



RAPE AND KALE. Although not true root crops, these 

 plants by their relationship and uses may be treated under this 

 head. Brassica napus is the Latin name of the rape plant (Fig. 

 175). In America the best variety known is Dwarf Essex rape. 

 This is a true biennial, as its seed is not developed until the second 

 season. The seed is inexpensive and the cost of starting the crop 

 is small. 



Kale belongs to the species Brassica oleracea. It is spoken of 

 as a headless cabbage because the cabbage is of the same species. 

 Kale is grown chiefly in the milder climates as a winter crop. But 

 rape is grown in both the North and South as a late summer and 

 fall crop. Both produce pasturage for sheep, hogs and cattle. 

 They are both also harvested and used as soiling crops for dairy 



FIG. 175. Dwarf Essex rape is a succulent pasture for pigs and sheep. (Wisconsin Station, 



Productive Feeding.) 



cows and other animals. Kale is extensively used as a salad crop 

 and is cooked as greens. The leaves are cut near the crown and 

 new growth is allowed to spring up, thus a continuous harvest is 

 obtained so long as the season is favorable. 



Movable fences are often used in pasturing a crop of rape or 

 kale, as the results are much more satisfactory when the stock 

 pasture it closely for a short time only, and then are moved to 

 another part of the field. Less feed is thus wasted by the tramp- 

 ing of the animals. In feeding value they are both comparable 

 with cabbage, rutabagas and mangels. As the growth is rapid 

 and springs up quickly after each pasturage period these are highly 

 recommended for use with swine and sheep. 



Growing the Crop. While these plants will thrive on light 



