952 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



cultivated form of the smooth-leaved summer rape, and if it is grown 

 on unfavourable land, the root will return to its pristine type. A 

 striking instance of this was brought under our notice a few years 

 since, when one of the largest seed-firms sent us some specimens 

 which had in a very short time reverted to rape. The seed had been 

 tested at Kew, and verified as 'a distinct variety, and it had been sent 

 to customers with all confidence. In every instance but the one 

 under notice it had answered expectations, but in this case there 

 was scarcely any development of " bulb " in the root, which grew in 

 the hard and fibrous form characteristic of rape, while the neck ran 

 up straight to the height of 18 inches or more, and threw out leaves in 

 the same manner as rape ; in fact, to all appearance, the plant was 



Fig. 443. Purple-Top Swede. 



rape. The case, therefore, was one of reversion. It transpired that 

 the ground on which this crop was grown was of a harsh moory nature, 

 deficient in lime and other mineral constituents necessar}' to the deve- 

 lopment of the root, whilst there was present other mineral mattei 

 prejudicial to it. At the same time there was a considerable, if not 

 excessive, quantity of nitrogenous matter in the land. This shows 

 that the land must be in a favourable condition for the proper develop- 

 ment of the root, whilst common practice proves that good cultivation 

 and judicious manuring are requisite for the growth of satisfactory 

 crops. The preparation of the land is therefore an important matter, 

 and all the operations connected with it demand skill and judgment. 



The swede is never grown as a catch-crop, but takes a premier posi- 

 tion among rotation crops. A whole year is given up to the prepara- 

 tion of the land and the growth of the plant, with the one exception 

 of the instance where it follows a previous root-crop, as is sometimes 

 the case on the light chalk soils of the south-western counties of Eng- 



