The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-20
RAPE AS A FORAGE CROP.
A Suggestion That viii Prove of
Value to the Farmer During
Next Summers Heat.

Every year uuTlHS tue HOT DlOnthS,
when much of the pasture has dried
up and the corn is not yet in condition
to feed, many farmer says: IF
there is such a thing as a crop that
will grow and furnish green succulent
food at this season, [ will certainly try
and have a field of it next year"
There is such a crop, and it may be
well during these winter days to post
Yourself concerning it, to determine
on a field, find where you can obtain the
seed and be in all readiness so as not to
he cheated out of another year. The
crop referred to is rape, and is growing
in favor each year. In some ways this
resembles the turnip plant; however,
the root is stringy and does not in that
resnect resemble the turnip, which is
bulbous. The leaves and stems OF rape
are the only portion of the plant that
are valuable. but the feeding value of
them has placed this crop ahead OF many
others as a pasture crop, and especially
for hogs and sheep. 1t makes slow
growth at first. but after it gets fairly
started, it shoots up rapidly, and on good
soil makes a most astonishing growth.
A WELD of ten tons per acre is COM
mon report, while from the Wisconsin
station comes report of nine and three
fourths tons from half acre.
The plant does best on deep, rich.
warm loan. 1t grows but slowly on
stiff clays, but will grow fairly we'll even
on clays and sandy soils, provided IL IS
we'll supplied with plant food. Making
such a luxuriant growth as it does, it
should receive at the time the soil is be-
inc prepared 200 pounds per acre OF
fertilizer containing four per cent. nitro
gen, seven per cent. phosphorlc ACID and
six per cent. actual potash. II such
compound cannot be secured, the
phosphoric acid can be secured in the
form of acid phosphate, or groun'l
steamed bone, and the potash from mur1-
ate of potash. These can be supplied be-
fore the seed is sown. and the nitrogen
applied in the form of nitrate OF soda as
top dressing afterwards. 1t also grows
we'll on old muck soils; on such land the
nitrogen can be omitted, but liberal
amount of potash must be used, since
those soils are very deficient in that ele-
ment.
1t might be mentioned in this con-
nection. says the Farmers Review, that
let the crop be rape or what it will, aston
ishing results come from the use of pot
ash on these much and bogus soils,
which are oftentimes classed as unpro-
ductive.
In preparing the field for the rape
crop, the ground should be plowed
about as deep as for corn and we'll har-
rowed. All vegetable matter should
be carefully buried and the ground
rolled to make an earth mulch, which
is so valuable in retaining moisture.
Possibly the best results follow broad
casting and covering with ,ssni --.s
row. If drilled. ordinary turnip drill
can be used. The amodnt of seed sowed
per acre is from three to five pounds if
sown broadcast, and two or three if with
drills. A very satisfactory way is to SOW
it in the corn at the last cultivation
While it may slightly interfere with the
cutting up of the corn, it makes a splen-
did feeding ground for pigs and lambs be-
fore the corn is taken off. and a general
pasture afterwards. The stock can be
turned on it after it is eight or ten weeks
old. Care must be exercised in turning
sheep to it, that they do not eat their
fill until they are somewhat accustomed
to the crop, or bloating may follow. The
stock should not be allowed to eat il too
closely, as it will sprout up again and
make pasture of longer duration unless
nipped off close to the ground. It is a
good idea to have two lots Of il. and LET
the stock eat on one awhile, then change
to the other and give the first chance
to make a new growth. The best va
riety is the dwarf Essex. which has q
good root and branches out heavily
The leaves commence 20 branch near the
surface of the ground ard extend in most
every direction, until the surface of the
ground is hidden by mass Of foliage
from one to three feet high, accordin.
to soil and season. " we'll supplied with
plant food, it will do we'll during the drv
season and into the late fall, furnishinn
an unrivaled pasture for sheep, pigs
and even cattle. and a crop the farmer
will find in many ways to be highly prof
table.