The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-05-08
sprinu Forage Crops.

spring fota9e CFopS. 81
From Farmers Review: The eco.
nomical growth OF swine demands the
use Of some forage crop to supplement
the clover or blue grass pasture: Such
q variety should be used that will
come in very early in the spring be-
fore the common grasses, and one
that will extend farther Into the late
fall and winter. For the early spring
and late fall forage. the Dwarf Essex
rape seems to be especially suited.
It also answers fairly well for sum-
mer feeding. Cow peas have also
been proven to furnish most excel.
lent food for swine during the sum.
mer months. Rape requires warm,
moist soil, rich in humus, and con.
tanning an abundance Of plant food.
Old pasture lands, thoroughly per-
meated with vegetation roots are con-
sidered exceptionally good soil for
rape. However, rape may be grown
to good advantage on any rich soil
when broken rather deep and then
made fine; firm and free from weeds
or grass. 50. ~ .,r
Rape may be sown broadcast. or
drilled in rows that permit the Guilt
vator to be used later in the season.
The latter plan. requires less seed
and, as a rule, produces great deal
more forage. For small, rich lots it
is a great deal more convenient to
SOW. broadcast and harrow the seed
in. The amount of seed sown varies
from five to seven pounds. More
seed should be used as conditions are
more unfavorable. If sown in rows
from lS to "a inches apart, two to four
pounds of seed per acre is required,
planted about one inch deep; then
cultivated while the plants are small,
and Immediately after they have been
pastured or cut off. When broadcast.
ed the seed should be well covered by
cross narrowing. When rape is pas.
tured do not turn on until the plant
is 6 to 8 inches high. BY means OF
hurdles confine the stock to definite
portions Of the field; then after all
leaves have been eaten hurdle them
In new quarters, continuing this
process until the entire area has been
gone over. II cut and thrown to stock
as soiling crop do not clip the stem
too close to the ground, but about
inches high. Then, as in pasturing
go over the entire field cutting all the
plants The part first cut will now
be ready to afford second crop. Il
used for soiling purposes the rape
should be planted very near the ami
mails to be fed, as 1t is heavy an(
troublesome to carry very far. A
great deal more forage is obtained
where the plants are in rows and 81
harvested as to permit of shallow cul
tivation every time after plants hav,
been cut down. Dwarf Essex rape Il
especially helpful to the swine ant
sheep growers. Hogs will eat it from
the start and no amount seems t,
hurt them. Sheep should be turned
on to fresh rape gradually, and whel
it is free from rain or dew; an,
should remain but short time. Con
tinue this. method until they becom,
accustomed to it. Good grass in tn,
same field with rape is most excellen
for sheep. If large field of rape il
sown and the stock turned into it
great deal of the forage is trample,
under foot and many parts of tn,
field will not be eaten down at all
which permits the plants to becom
old and tough. To get the best from
rape let fast growing and fast eatin,
, be the motto.-W. B. Anderson.