308 CHArXER XVIII 



About twelve to fifteen tons per acre is considered a ^'ood 

 yield. 



If fed to cattle they should be sliced before feediiij;. 



6.— RAPE. 



This is a quick-growing, broad-leafed, succulent, and 

 palatable plant, somewhat resembling young cabbage, two to 

 four feet in height. It makes its best growth in the cooler 

 months of the year. Rape is grown for soiling and for tem- 

 porary pasture for cattle, pigs, and particularly sheep. 



It is very frost-resistant, and does best under cool con- 

 ditions on rich, moist, loamy soils. It responds w^ell to applica- 

 tions of barnyard manure. The soil should be prepared in 

 January, and the seed drilled or broadcasted in February and 

 March. It can then be grazed off or soiled during May and 

 June. In the Western Province it is often sown in May or 

 June, and then affords a succulent feed in the dry summer 

 months. 



If drilled in rows three feet apart, two pounds of seed 

 are required per acre ; if broadcasted, five pounds. Dwarf 

 Essex is the best variety grown in the Union. 



In the United States, rape is often planted between the 

 rows of maize at the time of the last cultivation. The whole 

 crop is later grazed off by pigs, sheep or cattle. 



Experiments at the Potchefstroom Experimental Farm 

 indicated that soiling was the most economical method of 

 feeding rape to pigs. The advantage to the soil, however, 

 when pastured, should also be considered. 



Care must be exercised when grazed by sheep or cattle, 

 as bloating is common. Hungry and thirsty animals should 

 not be put into the fields; the de'w should be off, and animals 

 should gradually have their stay in the field lengthened. 

 Twenty minutes twice a day at the commencement, until, 

 after a fortnight, they might be allowed in permanently. 



7.— KALE. 



This crop resembles rape, and is distinguished from it 

 by having entirely smooth leaves, while those of rape are 

 slightly hairy. Chou Moellier and Thousand Headed Kale 

 are strains of kale. 



