File:American farmers' manual (1903) (17932165178).jpg

Title: American farmers' manual
Identifier: americanfarmersm19pete_0 (find matches)
Year: 1903 (1900s)
Authors: Peter Henderson & Co; Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection
Subjects: Vegetables Seeds Catalogs; Farms Catalogs; Grasses Seeds Catalogs
Publisher: New York : Peter Henderson & Co.
Contributing Library: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Digitizing Sponsor: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library

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TRIE DWARF ESSEX RAPE. Valuable for Cattle, Sheep and Hogs. In the United States we have millions of acres of good land that annually lie idle or run to weeds the latter part of the season, after the grain, potato and hav crops have been harvested, a large portion of vehich might be made to produce one of the finest feeds imaginable, and in the greatest abundance, at_ a time when cattle, sheep and hogs are roaming through bare pastures in search of a scanty living. Under favorable conditions it is ready for pasturing sheep or cattle within six weeks from time of sowing, and on an average one acre vnll carry twelve to fifteen sheep six weeks to two months. AVhen on the Rape they should at all times have access to salt; but water IS not neces.sary. There are several varieties of Rape, but care should be taken to procure the Dwarf Essex, or English, as it is sometimes called, which does not seed the same season as sown, unle.=s m some exceptional cases, as when sown too early and the young plant is touched bv frost. In the Northern States it should be sown from April to end of August for fall pasturing, but as it thrives best m cool weather, it should not be sown in the Southern States until September, or October for winter pasture. In the latitude of New York it should be sown in April, or in July or August. Its fattening properties are probably twice as good as those of Clover, and for sheep the feeding value of Rape excels all other plants we know of. At the Michigan Experiment Station, 12S lambs were pastured for eight weeks on 15 acres of Rape sown in July, and showed a gain of 2,890 lbs., or at the rate of 3 lbs. per lamb each week. Even so far South as Alabama it has proved a boon to the farmer. In a recent bulletin published by the Alabama Experiment Station they state : "Quality of product good for both hogs and cattle, the growth was enormous. By repeated sow- ings it will and did ca.Try more hogs through our drs-, hot summers than four times' the amount of land planted in anj'thing else ever grown here. I would recommend it to all Southern farmers." To secure the best results, the Rape should be sown in drills. Sow 4 lbs per acre broadcast, 2 to 3 lbs. per acre in drills. (See cut.) Price, loc. lb., $3.25 bushel of 50 lbs., 100 lbs. $6.25. If bv mail, add 8c. per lb. SAND, OR WINTMR VETCH. ( Vicia Villosa.) Though it succeeds and produces good crops on poor, sandy soils, it is much more vigorous on good land and grows to a height of 4 to 5 feet. It is perfectly hardy throughout the United States, remaining green all winter, and should be sown during August and September, mixed with Mammoth Red Clover, in sections where it will not winter=kill, or with Rye, which serves as a support for the plants ; or in spring with Oats or Barley. It is the earliest crop for cutting, being nearly a month earlier than Scarlet Clover, and a full crop can be taktn off the land in time for planting spring crops. Being much hardier than Scarlet Clover, this is the Forage Plant to sow in the Northern States, where Scarlet Clover winter-kills, tnough it is equally valuable in the South. Every dairyman and stock=breeder in the United States should have a field of it, and if you try it once you will never be a season without it. It is exceedingly nutritious, much more so than Clover, is eaten with relish, and may be fed with safety to all kinds of stock. It will also prove valuable for a Hay crop in the South and dry Western regions, as it may be sown in the fall and will make a luxuriant growth during the fall and spring months, and will yield a heavy crop, which may be cut and .stored before the droughts set in. Sow one bushel per acre, with one-half bushel of Rye or Wheat. (See cut.) Price, 12c. lb., $6.50 bushel of 60 lbs., 100 lbs. $10.50. If by mail, add 8c. per lb.

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