RAPE, COLE, COLESEED 379 



should be thin. The 'skins' of the fleshy 'root' should be 

 as thin, smooth, and tender as possible. Both the tap root 

 and leafy top should be single and small. Turnips or swedes 

 with several tops and fang-like roots, as in 5, Fig. 119, are 

 generally of poor feeding-quality, and involve much waste in 

 their consumption. 



The upper part of the ' root ' should be convex ; when con- 

 cave, as partially seen in 4, Fig. rig, rain-water is liable to be 

 held in the depression and decay thereby encouraged. 



10. Rape, Cole, Coleseed {Brassica Napus L.). — This plant is 

 a biennial, grown in many places instead of a turnip crop, and as 

 a ' catch crop ' for its succulent leaves and stems which are 

 utilised as food for sheep. 



The seeds are dark purple or black, and the young plants 

 have glaucous foliage-leaves which are sparsely covered with 

 rough hairs. Both seeds and seedlings are identical in appear- 

 ance with those of swede turnips, and not unfrequently rape seed 

 has been sown in mistake for that of the swede, and the young 

 plants hoed out as for a root crop ; in such instances it is 

 impossible to detect the error until the plants have grown 

 some time, when the want of 'bulbing' propensity betrays 

 them. 



The root is slender ; the stem which grows to a height of 2 

 feet or more is smooth, with many branches. The lower leaves 

 are lyrate, the upper ones ovate-lanceolate, clasping the stem. 

 The flowers are bright yellow, and therefore differ in colour from 

 those of the swede. 



Seed is sown at intervals, usually from May onward, in order 

 to provide a succession of crops during the autumn and winter. 



It is generally sufficiently advanced in three months from the 

 time of sowing to provide a large bulk of green food. 



The seed is sown broadcast, at the rate of 10 lbs. per acre, or 

 more frequently drilled at the rate of 4 or 5 pounds per acre. 

 In the latter case, the superabundant young plants are hoed out 



