194 



FARM CROPS 



advisable to plant the pumpkins something like 8 

 by 8 feet. From 3 to 4 pounds of seed will be 

 necessary to the acre. Of course, drilled planting 

 can be resorted to. If hill planting is adopted, 

 three or four plants should be left to the hill. Con- 

 stant cultivation pays in pumpkin growing as it 

 pays in corn and other kinds of crops. Freezing is 

 hurtful to pumpkins and, therefore, they should 

 be gathered and stored before cold weather arrives. 

 If the stems be brushed off or the pumpkins bruised 

 they will quickly decay. A dry, moderately warm 

 pit or cellar is desirable for storage. A barn or 

 stable can be used, but if the weather is cold it is 

 best to cover with corn stalks or hay in order to 

 protect from cold weather as long as possible. Any- 

 where from 20 to 40 tons of pumpkins may be 

 secured to the acre. There is a place on the farm 

 for pumpkins, as they are relished by both swine 

 and cattle in the fall. They may be fed raw or 

 cooked and are good for hogs up to the final stages 

 of fattening. 



I^APE. — English farmers have for generations 

 made extensive use of Dwarf Essex forage rape as a 

 stock food. This plant may be described as a ruta- 

 baga run to head. The seed is sown broadcast, 

 from April to July, or sown in drills, like rutabaga 

 turnips, and cultivated without thinning. The 

 large, numerous, succulent leaves are generally ap- 

 preciated by sheep most of all, then by swine and 

 cattle. Rape is fed oflf by turning stock directly 

 into the field, so there is no expense for harvesting. 

 As indicated above, it may be sown any time from 

 early spring until midsummer, and furnishes food 

 from about eight weeks after sowing until it is 

 consumed. 



