50 FORAGE CROPS IN NEBRASKA. 



Rape. 



Rape {Brassica napus) is a .succulent plant, resembling- the turnip, 

 which is used for pasture in the cooler parts of the United States. It 

 has been grown upon the station farm and is to be recommended for 

 fall pasture for hogs and sheep. It is also useful for calves and grow- 

 ing cattle, but there is much loss from the trampling of the larger 

 stock. The milk is likeh T to be tainted when rape is fed to cows, 

 although this may be avoided \>x feeding (soiling) just after milking. 

 The chief value of rape in Nebraska, however, is as fall pasture for 

 hogs and sheep. It gives succulent feed until frost or even somewhat 

 later. A succession of pasture may be produced by planting the seed 

 at different dates. It is ready to use about ten weeks after planting. 

 For further information as to rape see Farmers' Bulletin No. 161, 

 United States Department of Agriculture. 



Canada Field Pea. 



Canada field pea (Pisum arvense), a legume, resembling the garden 

 pea, has proved very successful in Canada and the cooler parts of the 

 United States. It is adapted to a cool, moist climate, though it can 

 be grown with some success in the Middle South as a winter crop. It 

 is usually sown with grain, especially oats, the grain serving to hold 

 up the peas, the combination being very satisfactory for forage. The 

 peas and oats are usually made into hay, although the}^ may be used 

 for pasture or soiling. 



Experiments were tried at the station in the pasture tests. (See 

 Bulletin 69 of the Nebraska Experiment Station.) One-fifth acre plot 

 of oats and peas gave twenty-one and one-half days' pasturage, which 

 was available in June, somewhat later than rye. Although peas can 

 be used in this way in moist years, the conclusion was reached t hat- 

 Nebraska is too far south for the best results with this crop. 



A T ETCH. 



Hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa) is an annual legume more drought 

 resistant than the common vetch and better adapted to sandy soils, for 

 which reason it is sometimes called sand vetch. It has proved very 

 successful in eastern Washington and is much used as a winter crop 

 in the Middle South. It gives the best results when combined with 

 grain. Although it can be grown in eastern Nebraska, experiments 

 show that the forage produced is inferior in quantity, and that it can 

 not compete with other legumes. 



Spring vetch ( Yicia sativa) is not suited to Nebraska, as it requires 

 a cool, moist climate. Winter vetch (Lathyrus Mrsutus) is not to be 

 recommended for that region. 



