| At the Michigan Ex Recent Station, 128 
<j lambs were pastured for eight weeks on 15 
“| acres of Rape sown in July, and showed a 
: | ‘gain of 2,5961bs.. or at the Tate of 3 Ibs., Pe 
lamb each week. : 
FRUE DWARF ESSEX: RAPE 
Valuable for Cattle, Sheep and Hogs. 
In the United States we have millions of acres of good land that annually lie idle or run to weeds 
the latter part of the season, after the grain, potato and hay crops have been harvested, a large portion 
of which might be made to produce one of the finest feeds imaginable, and in the greatest abundance, 
at a time when cattle, sheep and hogs are roaming through bare pastures in search of a scanty living. 
Under favorable conditions it is ready for pasturing sheep or cattle within six weeks from time of 
sowing, and on an average one acre will carry twelve to fifteen sheep six weeks to two months. When 
on the Rape they should at all times have access to salt; but water is not necessary. There are several 
varieties of Rape, but care should be taken to procure the Dwarf Essex, or English, as it is sometimes 
called, which does not seed the same season as sown, unless in some exceptional cases, as when sown 
too early and the young plant is touched by frost. In the Northern States it should be sown from 
April to end of August for fall pasturing, but as it thrives best in cool weather, it should not be sown 
in the Southern States until September, or October for winter pasture. In the latitude of New York 
it should be sown in April, or in July or August. Its fattening properties are probably twice as good 
as those of Clover, and for sheep the feeding value of Rape excels all other plants we know of. At the 
Michigan Experiment Station 128 lambs were pastured for eight weeks on 15 acres of Rape sown in July, 
and showed a gain of 2,890 lbs., or at the rate of 3 lbs. per lamb each week. Even so far South as Ala- 
bama it has proved a boon to the farmer. Ina recent bulletin published by the Alabama Experiment 
Station they state: ‘‘Quality of product good for both hogs and cattle. The growth was enormous. 
By repeated sowings it will and did carry more hogs through our dry, hot summers than four times 
the amount of land planted in anything else ever grown here. JI would recommend it to all Southern 
farmers.’’ To secure the best results, the Rape should be sown in drills. Sow 4 lbs. per acre broad- 
e cast, 2 to 3 lbs. per acre in drills. (See cut.) Price, 10c. per Ib., $3.50 bushel of 50 lIbs., 100 Ibs. 
| $6.50. If by mail, add 8c. per lb. 
2 SAND OR WINTER VETCH. 
(Vicia Villosa.) 
| Though it succeeds and produces good crops on poor, sandy soils, it is much more vigorous on good 
land and grows to a height of 4 to 5 feet. It is perfectly hardy throughout the United States, remaining 
| green all winter, and should be scwn during August and September, mixed with Mammoth Red Clover, 
in sections where it will not winter-kill, or with Rye, which serves as a support for the plants; or in 
| spring with Oats or Barley. 
It is the earliest crop for cutting, being nearly a month earlier than Scarlet Clover, and a full crop 
can be taken off the land in time for planting spring crops. Being much hardier than Scarlet Clover, 
this is the Forage Plant to sow in the Northern States, where Scarlet Clover winter-kills, though it is 
ef} NL equally valuable in the South. Every dairyman and stock-breeder in the United States should have a 
field of it, and if you try it once you will never be a season without it. 
; {| It is exceedingly nutritious, much more so than Clover, is eaten with relish, and may be fed with 
3 ae oie etc safety to all kinds of stock. 
It will also prove valuable for a Hay crop in the South and dry Western regions, as it may be sown 
: sot in the fall and will make a luxuriant growth during the fall and spring months, and will yield a heavy 
SG . crop, which may be cut and stored before the droughts set in. 
SAND OR WINTER VETCH Sow one bushel per acre, with one-half bushel or Rye of Wheat. (See cut.) Price, 14c. per Ib., 
THE EARLIEST FORAGE CROP, $6.50 bushel of 60 Ibs., 100 Ibs. $10.00. If by mail, add Sc. per lb. 
