300 FORAGE CROPS 



Yield and composition of rape 



Owing to the fact that rape is usually fed from 

 the field, data in reference to yields are somewhat 

 limited. At the Wisconsin and New Jersey Sta- 

 tions, the yields have ranged, in round numbers, 

 from twenty-three to twenty-seven tons per acre. 

 When mature, rape contains more dry matter than 

 most root -crops, as, for example, mangels and 

 turnips and the total yield of nutrients is much 

 greater. The average composition and yield of 

 nutrients per acre are as follows: 



One ton Average acre- 

 contains yield ftirnishes 

 Per cent Lbs. Lbs. 



Water 86.2 ... ... 



Dry matter 13.8 276 6,900 



Ether extract 0.5 10 250 



Crude fiber 1.9 38 950 



Protein 2.4 48 1,200 



Ash 1.8 36 900 



Nitrogen -free extract ... 7.2 144 3,600 



At the New Jersey Experiment Station, rape 

 when at the best stage for soiling showed the 

 following composition: 



Composition of Dwarf Essex Rape One ton 



contains 



Per cent Lbs. 



Water 84.50 . . . 



Dry matter 15.50 310 



Ether extract 0.50 10 



Crude fiber 2.60 52 



Protein . . . • 2.30 46 



Ash 2.00 40 



Nitrogen-free extract 8.20 164 



