45 
AUTUMN AND CATCH CROPS. 
Owing to the abnormal drought experienced last summer, there was in most jiarts of the country a scarcity 
of fodder crops available for winter and spring feeding. 
As a dry summer always entails a scarcity like this, it behoves stock-keepers to secure a provision of fodder 
by making judicious sowings of quick-growing crops every summer and late autumn as well as earlier in the 
year. 
The best crops for this purpose are Rape, Mustard, Tares, and Trifolium, and these may be sown 
immediately the stubbles are broken up. 
RAPE OR COLE. 
It is difficult to understand why this crop is not being more extensively grown, for it is one of the quickest 
and most profitable of our green crops, being easily grown, and its growth is rapid, whilst the ground can be 
quickly cleared when needed for other crops, which fact makes it a valuable catch or fallow crop. 
It is readily adapted for all classes of lands, except poor thin soils and burning gravels, and two varieties 
are commonly cultivated, the dwarf and giant. 'I'he former is rather more suitable for chalk soils, upon which it 
is frequently grown after a catch crop, but the giant variety thrives more readily on strong or fen lands, where 
it is taken as a main crop in the rotation. 
Rape is especially valuable for providing green food for lambs in the early months of the year when soft, 
succulent fodder is often scarce, and all stock fatten on it. 
The seed is sown in March at the rate of 6 lbs. per acre, in rows 2 feet apart, when it will be ready for 
feeding off in July, or successional sowings may be made from May to August, though the main portion of the 
crop should be sown about June. 
It can be sown broadcast, or the seed may be mixed with early turnips, this crop making a fattening feed 
for sheep in the autumn and spring, but the heaviest crops are produced by drilling the seed. This is especially 
necessary for the giant and broad-leafed variety, which yields an immense crop, suitable for stall-fed stock. 'I'he 
stalks of this variety are sometimes allowed to remain in the ground, when a quantity of green shoots are 
produced, invaluable for spring feeding. 
A very useful catch crop is obtained by sowing 5 lbs. of Rape mixed with i lb. of quick-growing turnip 
seed, such as Carters Imperial Green Globe or Carters Purple 'Pop, both of which are specially recommended 
for autumn sowing. 
Broad-leaf variety, Carters Ennobled Stock, price 16 /- per bushel. 
Broad-leaf Essex Rape, price 14/- per bushel. 
WHITE MUSTARD. 
FINE SELECTED STOCK. 
One of the quickest growing green crops we have, and exceedingly useful as a means of producing sheep 
keep in times of scarcity, or when Turnips have failed through drought. Sow 20 lbs. per acre broadcast upon 
a shallow furrow, harrow in and roll. Under ordinary conditions the crop should be ready in six weeks. Again, 
it may be sown broadcast over Rape or early 'Purnips when such are required for feeding young during the 
autumn. 
Price 16 /- and 14 /- per bushel. 
TARES OR VETCHES. 
Tares do not require a very deep tillage, and may be grown upon a wide range of soils, but give the best 
return upon the stronger class of loams. They are very nutritious, and suitable for all kinds of stock. May be 
siloed, made into hay, or fed to sheep in racks on the land where grown. 
It is a good plan to sow a little Rye or Oats with Tares, as it helps them to stand up during heavy rains or 
windy weather. Drill or broadcast 3 bushels per acre. 
Spring Tares 8/- per bushel. Winter Tares, price on application. 
Special mixtures of the above seeds can be supplied for sowing- where 
an economical green crop is required for summer or spring feeding. 
Raynes Park, London, S.W.— 1912. 
