136 FODDER AND PASTURE PLANTS. 



a moist and not too hot climate but can be grown in comparatively 

 dry and hot regions if the soil is rich and holds some moisture. 



Varieties: Rape is either annual or biennial. The annual 

 varieties are grown principally for their seed and are called summer 

 rape; winter rape, such as Dwarf Essex, is biennial. Only the 

 latter varieties are important as fodder plants for Canada. 



Habits of growth: The development of Dwarf Essex and other 

 fodder varieties is not dissimilar to that of turnips. The seed should 

 be sown at about the same rate per acre two to four pounds and 

 at about the same time, either in drills or broadcast. The foliage 

 is ready for pasture during the autumn. If protected against severe 

 cold during the winter, the remaining stalks produce seed the follow- 

 ing year. 



Agricultural value: Rape has a high feeding value for sheep, 

 pigs, store and fattening cattle. As it is very succulent that is, 

 contains a large percentage of water it is difficult to cure it into 

 hay and when cured it is of comparatively little value as the leaves 

 crumble to powder. It is principally used for pasture and to some 

 extent as a soiling crop. It is not much used for ensilage. 



The rape is by no means difficult to please in soil, for it will grow almost anywhere, indeed where 

 nothing else can be sown. It readily derives nutriment from fogs and hoar-frosts, and grows to a 

 marvellous size; I have seen them weighing upwards of forty pounds. Pliny, Natural History, 25-79. 



With first approach of light we must be risen, 



And at our pleasant labour, to reform 



Von flowery arbours, yonder alleys green, 

 ******* 



That mock our scant manuring, and require 



More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth: 



Those blossons also * * * * 



That lie bestrown unsightly and unsmooth, 



Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease. Milton, Paradise Lost, 1669. 



Some old men in Surrey report, That they knew the first Gardiners that came- 



into these parts, to plant Cabbages, Colleflowers, and to sowe Turnips, Carrets, and Parsnips, to sowe 

 Raith or (early ripe) Rape, Pease, all of which at that time were great rarities, we having few, or none 

 in England, but what came from Holland and Flanders. These Gardiners with much ado procured 

 a plot of good ground, and gave no lesse than 8. pound per Acre; yet the Gentleman was not content, 

 fearing they would spoil his ground ; because they did use to dig it. So ignorant were we of Gardening, 

 in those dayes. Samuel Hartlib, The Compleat Husbandman, 1659. 



