The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-08-17
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g.. FIFTEEN
Rab6i

Rape was first introduced into this Gouh:
try from England, where it has been
grown for hundreds of years. On rich
land it is one Of our best soiling crops for
hogs and sheep. 1t belongs to the cab
bage family, and the leaves resemble
those of the mustard family. There are
several varieties, but the best variety is
Dwarf Essex rape, which is biennial.
There are a number Of varieties, but these
are of little value. II Dwarf Essex rape is
planted any time during the summer or
fall, it will afford paSturage all during the
winter and will mature Its seed the follow
ing June. When grown on rich ground
two or three cuttings can he obtained
However, the best way to handle rape Is
to plant it for p~asturing purposes. Hogs
eat it greedily and they can be turned on
it at will, without danger of them eating
too much. However, il sheep or calves are
pastured, care should be taken to feed
them some hay first, as there will be some
danger Of bloat.
I The South Carolina Experiment Station
has obtained as much as rs tons OF forage
from this plant. Rape requires a rich soil
and while it will grow on almost any type
OF soil, it Ia highly necessary that the soil
be made rich by heavy applications OF well
decomposod stable manure and large ap-
plications Of commercial fertilizers. Any
land that is we'll suited to cabbage will
grow rape profitably. The seed should be
, sown ut the rate OF 3 or 4 lbs. per acre, and
care should be taken that they are not
sown too deep. From n to two inches is
the proper depth. In South Carolina, the
best time to SOW rape seed Is in October,
but they can be sown any time during the
spring. In two months after sowing the
seed, the rape will be ready for pasturing.
Rape is a splendid crop to sow after a
! winter legume, such as burr clover, GRIM
son clover, or.yetch. The seed should be
sown at an interval OF two or three weeks,
thus giving q continuous pasturage all
during the summer M fall months. II
planted for seed, it should be planted In
September in rows "a inches apart, and the
rape should be cultivated during the late
summer to keep down crab grass and 9TH
er grass and weeds, and it should not be
paStured. An enormous amount OF seed
call be obtained III Il acre OF improved
soil.
! The greatest enemy we have In South
Carolina is the plant louise. At this writ
ing the s q. Experiment Station has a
beautiful patch Of rape gone to seed, but
the plants are filled with thousands off
plant lice that will cut down the yield con-t
slderably.
Rape never has been fed with success to
dairy cattle as it taints the flavor OF the
our best hog crops, as it is very rich in
protein, in fact, almost as rich as clover
hay. 1t cannot, however, be depended
upon to furnish the entire food Of the hog
because it makes a soft, oily fat. Hogs
grazing on rape should, therefore, be fed
some grain which makes O firm meat.
Every farmer has about his lot q small
patch that is rich enough to plant rape on
and every farmer should have a small
patch Of rape for his young pigs and hogs.
Prof. j.. H. Harper,
Director S. c. Experiment Station.