PLANTS OF THE BRASSICA GENUS. I49 



tioned quantity will suffice when the soil is rich and 

 clean, but when these conditions are not present the 

 last named quantity may be preferable, to admit of 

 harrowing the crop to some extent after the plants 

 have made a good start. 



The time at which this crop may be sown varies 

 exceedingly. In all climates it may be sown as early 

 in the spring as grain crops, and in moist climates 

 it may be sown as late as the end of summer. The 

 crop usually requires from eight to ten weeks to 

 complete its growth, sometimes however, a shorter 

 period will suffice and again a longer period is 

 necessary. Keeping in mind this thought one can 

 decide when the crop should be sown. The early 

 sown crops may be turned to excellent account in 

 providing pasture or soiling food for swine, when 

 clover does not grow readily. In mild climates it 

 may be sown in the autumn. To provide soiling 

 food when most needed, the seed is usually sown in 

 May or June. But by varying the dates of sowing, 

 this one plant may be made to furnish soiling food 

 almost without interruption from the close of spring 

 to the end of autumn. In the dry, hot summer 

 months it is sometimes impossible to get a stand of 

 plants. But even though the seed should lie in the 

 ground without germinating for weeks, it will start 

 up vigorously as soon as moisture reaches it. 



Cultivation. — When the crop is broadcasted the 

 only cultivation possible is to harrow it after the 

 plants have obtained a fine hold on the soil. The 

 harrowing should be done with much care. It will 

 destroy some of the plants, but when the seed has 

 been sown thickly enough, this will be no real 



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