976 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



KOHL-RABI (fig. 451), is a very valuable plant of the cabbage family, 

 and like all other cabbages may be eaten without risk of injury to the 

 animal at any period of its growth. It requires a rich soil in order to 

 attain its best development, and, like all cabbages, thrives most on 

 strong loams. It, however, produces very heavy crops on the medium 

 loams, provided the land has been well prepared ; and when such soils 

 become turnip- sick they may safely be taken for kohl-rabi, which is 

 very little susceptible to anbury, or finger and toe. Many farms would 

 have been unable to carry the number of sheep which they have done if 

 kohl-rabi could not have been substituted for swedes or other turnips 

 which often failed when sown. The seed should be sown on seed-beds 

 in March or April, and the seedlings transplanted as soon as they and 



Fig. 451. Short-top Kohl-rabi. 



the land on which they are to be grown are fit. Of all plants of the 

 cabbage type kohl-rabi is the most successfully grown by being drilled 

 and then set out like turnips. Notwithstanding this, many growers 

 consider they gain six weeks by transplanting, as the crop matures so 

 much earlier, and also grows to greater weight. Both bronze and 

 green varieties of kohl-rabi are known, but the green is almost ex- 

 clusively grown. There are hardy or big-topped varieties, and small- 

 topped kinds which come to quick maturity, but are not able to with- 

 stand the severity of winter, and are therefore only useful for autumn 

 food ; still they are of great value for feeding at this season. They are 

 particularly suited for filling in gaps in the mangel crop at the time the 

 mangel is. set out, and for this reason alone a small seed-bed of 

 kohl-rabi should be available on eveiy farm. The tops of the hard}' 

 variety are very delicious as table vegetables in January, when they have 

 sprouted. Kohl-rabi is a German term, literally meaning cabbage- 

 turnip. 



