140 SOILING CROPS AND THE SILO. 



they will not mature their seeds until a later period 

 the following season. The varieties which are 

 chiefly grown for seed 0/^/31, and which are used 

 principally in making oil, usually mature the seed 

 within sixty to one hundred and twenty days 

 from the date of sowing, but those which 

 are grown rather for pasture or for soil- 

 ing uses, will not mature seed the same season 

 they are sown. The former are possessed of but 

 little value as food plants. 



The Dwarf Essex rape bears a close resemblance 

 to the rutabaga in the first weeks of its growth. So 

 close is the resemblance at this time that it probably 

 would puzzle an expert to tell the t\\'o plants apart. 

 As time goes on, however, the growth of the rape 

 is more upright, and it becomes more stalky and tall. 

 Ordinarily it grows to the hight of eighteen to 

 twenty-four inches, but it may be so stimulated by 

 fertilizers as to make it reach nearly twice that 

 hight. The root is strong, the branches of the same 

 being numerous and some of them go a considerable 

 distance downward as well as laterally in search of 

 food. 



Dwarf Essex rape furnishes most excellent 

 soiling food for horses, cattle, sheep and swine. Its 

 feeding value has been stated by high authority to be 

 fully twice that of clover, although chemical analysis 

 does not give to it so high a value. As soon as ani- 

 mals become accustomed to it, they grow exceedingly 

 fond of it. Its power to produce milk when fed to 

 rnilk-giving animals is very high, and its power to 

 produce fat is, in a sense, remarkable. A\'hen it is fed 

 to cov.'s in milk, some caution must be exercised as to 



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