208 fORAGE CROPS. 



eating of the crop with measurable cleanness, and, 

 second, to secure an even fertilization of the land. 

 Sometimes additional food is given to the sheep 

 when they are thus being grazed, as, for instance, 

 oil cake. Such food aids in fattening the sheep 

 more quickly and also in fertilizing the land. 



Sheep may thus be grazed also on the broad- 

 casted rutabagas when the growth is sufficiently 

 pronounced to justify such a course. Otherwise it 

 may prove a better way to allow them to have the 

 freedom of the whole field when they are graz- 

 ing it off. 



TURNIPS. 



The turnip (Brassica rapa) is of many varie- 

 ties. They are sometimes called fall turnips, 

 because they are more commonly fed in the 

 autumn, whereas the Swedish varieties are more 

 commonly fed at a later period. They are charac- 

 terized by differences in the size, shape and color of 

 the bulb, and by the habit of growth in the top. 

 Compared with rutabagas they are flatter in shape, 

 they grow more quickly and more above the ground 

 and are less firm in flesh, hence they cannot be kept 

 so long when harvested. They are more frequently 

 grown to provide forage than rutabagas, because of 

 their quick growing properties, and because it would 

 not be so remunerative to harvest a crop that keeps 

 but for a short time. Sometimes they are raised 

 for forage by sowing the seed in drills and cultivat- 

 ing the plants, but more frequently they are sown 

 for this purpose in the grain fields. They furnish 

 forage for all farm animals, but are best adapted to 

 sheep and swine. 



