THE GREEN FOOD SUPPLY. 95 



during the hard pinch between roots and grass. Shepherd's, when 

 planted early, produces a heavy crop early in autumn and winter, 

 owing to its exceptionally thick leaves and rapid growth, but 

 does still better when left until spring for a greater quantity of 

 side shoots to push out. The tardiness with which Thousand- 

 headed kale comes on at first prevents many from using it, but 

 it crops so well when it has been on the land a year that it is worthy 

 of a more extended cultivation. However, it can be sown thickly, 

 and be fed in the autumn before it throws its many sprouts which 

 appear in spring, and give it its name. The advantage of both 

 these kales is that if a cutting is taken in April, another crop will be 

 available in July. 



Rape. Rape is of two types, Giant and Dwarf. The Giant 

 produces a single crop, and, if sown in May or June, is fit to feed 

 in August and September, when it attains great size. The Dwarf 

 kind may be sown from March to July, and will produce several 

 crops before it is necessary to destroy it. March-sown rape will 

 often produce good feed in mid-June, another in September, and 

 valuable green food in spring. Lambs should not be put on it 

 a second time unless it has been well frosted, as it becomes " sour,'* 

 and then causes scour. As a rule it is sown at the same time as 

 white turnips, and then gives an autumn and a spring crop. It 

 is valuable as a catch crop taken off land from which an early 

 summer crop has been taken. It then makes excellent lamb 

 food in spring. 



White Turnips. White turnips are available from August to 

 December. Those sown as a catch crop in July and August are 

 useful in spring, when the tops provide good lamb food. Quickly 

 maturing varieties like Stratton Green and Six-weeks are valuable 

 in seasons when the main crop of roots has failed. Sown in July 

 and early August, they make useful autumn feed. 



Greens. Winter greens, such as Savoys and Brussels Sprouts, 

 are very hardy, and stand the severest weather. 



Rye, Barley, &c. Rye, winter barley, winter oats, winter vetches, 

 and trifolium are essentially autumn-sown catch crops, available 

 at the critical period after the root crops are consumed. Rye 

 is the first to be fit for feeding ; vetches and trifolium come a 

 little later. A small piece of winter barley is valuable on all farms 

 where lambs are raised, as it is one of the best antidotes to scour, 

 the great scourge of the lamb-breeder. 



Mustard. Mustard sown as early in August as possible makes 

 welcome food in October, and is much liked for " flushing " ewes. 

 It can be sown at other periods from late spring onwards, to be 

 fed within two months. 



Ensilage. Ensilage is of great value to the sheep-farmer, and 

 silage is especially valuable as food for ewes, as they eat it readily, 



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