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PETER HENDERSON & CO., NEW YORK.-FORAGE PLANTS. 



English Rape. 



TRUE DWARF ESSEX. 



In the United States we have millions of acres of good 

 laud 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 and sheep are roaming through bare pastures in search of a scanty 

 living. Rape may be sown broadcast at the rate of 6 lbs. per acre and harrowed in, or the land may be thoroughly 

 harrowed and the seed sown in drills, 1 8 to 24 in. apart, at the rate of 2 to 3 lbs. per acre. 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 or fifteen sheep six weeks to two months. There 

 are several varieties of Rape, but care should be taken to procure the Dwarf 

 Essex, which does not seed the same season as sown unless checked in 

 its growth. In the Northern States it should be sown from May to Au- 

 gust 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, July or August is the best time to sow. Its fat- 

 tening 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, fattening and 

 putting them in excellent condition for marketing without the addition of 

 grain or other purchased feeds. At the Michigan Agricultural 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. To secure the best results, the Rape should be sown in drills. Sow 

 6 lbs. per acre broadcast, 2 to 3 lbs. per acre in drills. 10c. ib., S3. 00 roo lbs. 



SAND OR WINTER VETCH. (Vicia vniosa.) 



Is perfectly hardy throughout, the United States, remaining green all winter, 

 and should be sown during August and September, mixed with Rye, which 

 serves as a support for the plants, or in spring with Oats or Burley. 



It grows to a height of 4 to 5 feet and 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 equally valuable in the South. 



It is exceedingly nutritious, much more so than Clover, is eaten with relish, 

 and mav be fed with safety to all kinds of stock. 



Sow one bushel per acre with one-half bushel of Rye or Wheat. (See cut.) 

 10c lb., $1.25 peck, $4.00 bushel of 60 lbs., 100 lbs. $6.00. If by mail, add 8c. per lb. j 



