Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-07-09
FARMER AND PLANTER.
GREEN FEED FOR STOCK.
Some Information Regarding the cnltiva-
tion and Feeding of Rape.


Mr.. II. j. McMilen writes from Tun-
nell Ill., KY, asking information
about the cultivation of rape for feed
ing sheep. He wants to know 'how to
plant, how much to the acre, how TO
put it away, when to SOW, etc, in fact
a complete history of 1t, as 1t is some
thing new
We probably can not answer the
question better than to quote from
bulletin No. So of the Wisconsin ex-
pertinent station. The bulletin gives a
good deal of information, both as to
the cultivation of rape and its uses as
u feed for sheep and hogs. We would
suggest that any of our readers who
are interested and want further infor-
nation on the subject write to the di-
rector of the experiment station at
Madison, Wis, for a copy of bulletin
No. 5S.-Farmers Home journal.
During the past five years rape has
been experimental with at our station
farm in various ways ior soiling pur-
poses and for fattening sheep and
swine. This experience leads us to be-
lieve that the crop is worthy of culti-
walton on Wisconsin farms for these
purposes, and it is to further extend
the growth of it that this summary OF
our experience is submitted.
LIMITS TO THE GROWTH OF THE CROP.
The popularity of the plant and the
rapid extension of the area devoted to
IL might lead to the inference that
there is no question MS to its adapta-
bility for all climatic conditions. As
far as our experience goes, the crop
has not suffered from dry and hot
seasons as much as we expected,
but being very succulent plant
of luxuriant growth 1t must suffer
more than other plants that are less
SO. This is especially true when the
dry season begins before the plant has
had time to establish itself. In some
districts small plant louise completely
ruins the crop for feeding purposes
during the season Of drought For these
reasons, in trying the crop for the first
time, it would be advisable to limit it
TO half an acre or so.
LIMITS TO USES OF THE CROP.
Our experience is confined to the use
of this croop for soiling, breeding
sheep and swine, and for fattening
these by folding and pasturing them
on the standing crop. For these uses
we know the plant to be very valu'
able. 1t is not crop that to our
knowledge can be cured or stored in
any way. Under our conditions it re-
mains fresh for pasturing several
weeks, but when cut it willis so rapid
ly that it should be fed the day it il
cut for the stock to relish it most.
VARIETY TO GROW.
The variety TO which our experience
is confined is the Dwarf Essex fodder
rape This variety does not produc,
seed the first year; other varieties val
liable for their seeds do so and are con
sequently useless for fodder purposes
THE SOIL SUITED FOR RAPE.
1t does best on soil that is rich il
humus or decayed vegetable matter
1t is very rank grower, hence tn,
soil can not be too rich for it. Old pas
lures finely worked make an excep
tionally good soil for it. Part of a pas
turc broken up in this way can be use'
to good advantage for rape feeding, a
sheep must have some pasture in con
nection with the rape to do well. II
locating field for folding sheep, tn
question of shade and easiness of &C
cess should also be considered in con
nection with that of the soil.
PREPARATION OF THE SOL.
IL the crop is to be used for soiling
the spring as possible, and to do tina
it would be best to pillow the land il
the fall. Then as soon as it can b
worked in the spring cross-disc it an
make it as fine as possible with the pul
verizer.
ESTIMATED AREA NEEDED.
When lambs are being fattened on
with one pound of grain per hea
daily, twenty ofthem will eat one acr
in two months. That is fair estimat
from all our trials. In our trials wit
hogs, we found that 20 of them woul
eat, with the grain they received in fa
tening, about one acre in three months
AMOUNT OF SEED.
When sown in drills, which has bee
the most satisfactory with us, use tw
pounds of seed to an acre, and whe
broadcasted, three pounds will be su
ficient Sowing the seed on ridge
does not need to have any advantage
under our conditions.
METHOD OF SEEDING.
The best method of seeding is
drill the seed in rows 30 inches apar
The cultivation that may be given I'll
! crop when drilled enables 1t to witt
stand the drought better.
SEEDING WITH OTHER CROPS.
The plan of seeding the corn field |
| the time of the last cultivation h;
been found successful by some, but
has not been satisfactory with us,
the rape was checked too much
make good growth for fall feed. III
best results from this manner
seeding comes from sowing raj
in the oats and narrowing it in ju
after the latter are nicely out
the ground. The same plan has be-
practiced with success in the instan
of rye sown in the fall and seeded
the spring with rape. On the Who'll
to get the most satisfactory rape al
have it at the time most needed,
would seem best to give the crop tt
land to itself and cultivate it as oft,
as possible, as this materially aids Il
yield and assists the plant in resistir
the effects of drought
WHEN THE CROP MAY BE FED.
1t takes the plant, under avera
conditions, about two months to rea,
its most luxuriant growth. 1t may
fed at any time to stock, but VIII
young and fresh there is much mo
danger from bloating or scourin