82 SHEEP FEEDING 



a chance to get started on the rape before they leave the peas, 

 thus making the change from the peas to the rape less abrupt. 

 The Dwarf Essex is the variety that is commonly used. 



The value of rape from the practical standpoint. Concern- 

 ing the views of practical farmers on the use and benefits 

 of rape the following may be quoted. A north Missouri 

 farmer says : " I sow three pounds of rapeseed in all my 

 corn every year just to keep the ground from washing during 

 the fall. I consider that it pays from this standpoint alone." 

 An Iowa farmer remarks : " I have sown rape in my corn 

 for many years and during favorable seasons it has averaged 

 knee-high all over the field. From the standpoint of the 

 corn alone I consider the rape beneficial, for I never had 

 corn fire with rape in it and it prevents the ground from 

 washing in the fall. As for the rape affecting the yield of 

 the corn I cannot say, except that my system of corn, rape, 

 and sheep has increased the yield of my corn in six years 

 from an average of forty to sixty bushels per acre." These 

 statements are representative of many others that might be 

 given, all acclaiming its value and none stating that it ever 

 affected either soil or main crop in any but a satisfactory way. 



Returns from catch crops. Now that suggestions have 

 been outlined for the growing of catch crops, we may justly 

 ask what returns may be expected from their proper use. 

 The cowpeas and rape should not be sown together, for the 

 growth that starts from this mixture is too heavy to mature 

 and hence neither do well. Sow the rape on the richest soil. 

 The cowpeas should be utilized first, for they are killed by 

 frost ; then the rape may be turned onto and pastured until 

 late fall or early winter. A good growth of one-half acre of 

 cowpeas and one-half acre of rape will put from fifteen to 

 twenty pounds of gain on from six to ten Western lambs in 



