CHAPTER VM. 



PLANTS OF THE BRASSICA GENUS. 



But two plants of this genus have heretofore 

 been grown to any very considerable extent on this 

 continent to provide soiling food or pasture for live 

 stock. These are rape and cabbage. It is possible, 

 nevertheless, that other plants of the same genus may 

 yet be introduced that will prove quite helpful in pro- 

 viding green food for the same. Some of these, as 

 kale for instance, have been thus utilized in Europe, 

 and there would seem to be no good reasons why 

 they should not be so used in some areas of this coun- 

 try, but until more is known as to their behavior 

 under American conditions, they could only be dis- 

 cussed in a speculative way. Rape and cabbage, 

 therefore, will only be considered in this chapter. 



RAPE. 



There are several varieties of rape (Brassica 

 napus,) but only one of these, viz., the Dwarf Essex, 

 has been found possessed of sufficient value to give it 

 the place of distinct precedence among all the varie- 

 ties tried under American conditions. All varieties 

 of rape are annual, that is to say, they complete the 

 mission of life within twelve months from the date 

 of sowing. But there may be instances, as when 

 certain varieties are sown earl-"- one season, where 



139 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



