356 THE RAPE CROP. 



sary during the growth of the plant, and, at the same 

 time, is not more than sufficient to give the plant that 

 full access to air and light so necessary to insure a full 

 and healthy development. 



The quantity of seed used is from 3 Ibs. to 5 Ibs. per 

 acre, which may be sown on the flat, by the ordinary 

 drill of the farm ; if sown on the ridge, the turnip drill 

 described at p. 300 must be used for the purpose. In 

 either case it is advisable to drill a small quantity of 

 manure of a readily soluble nature with the seed, so 

 that a supply of assimilable food may be furnished 

 directly the young plant sends out its roots into the soil. 

 The best manure for this purpose is the Peruvian guano ; 

 for the after use of the crop, phosphatic manures bones 

 or superphosphate, for instance are found to be equally 

 efficient, and considerably cheaper in price. 



The time of sowing is determined by the purposes for 

 which the crop is grown. If for early keep, March or 

 April is the usual period ; then the crop is generally ready 

 for stocking in August, and the field may be cleared in good 

 time for a winter straw crop. By sowing at different 

 periods from this time, a succession of green forage crops 

 can be obtained, upon which the stock may be kept until 

 the winter fairly sets in, and the root crops take their 

 place. In many places where rape is largely cultivated 

 the Lincolnshire fens, for instance the sowing takes 

 place from March to August inclusive, the crops coming 

 into use in about twelve to fourteen weeks from the date 

 of sowing. 



In the sheep-farming districts a supply of rape is 

 frequently provided for the ewes and lambs in spring, 

 for which it forms a succulent and nutritious food. 

 For this purpose the winter rape (B. napus) should 

 be sown, as, although the other is tolerably hardy, 

 and might stand the weather, it is not so certain, and 



