KOHL-RABI.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 319, 5 October 1908, Page 5

KOHL-RABI.

lIS PLACE IN STOCK FOODS. ; "AV-.J.5.", of Colyton, near,Feilding, writes as'j follows:—" Under * the heading of 'The Farm Industry,' in your valuablo 'paper, could' you give 'farmers, a short artioio on kohi-rabi. 1 have mado many inquiries regarding this valuable plant and root food, and am unable to get- any very definite information. An article such as suggested above would do much to enlighten farmers on this subject. Answers to the following questions will be thankfully received: When is the best tip e to sow it? How long does it take to mature? Aro iits fattening properties equal to rape? How many tons' per acre will it turn in on good soil? How much per aero is required for sowing? How much manure? What sort of soil is best suited to its production? Could you contrast it with rape, or turnips, or both, as being superior or otherwise?" ' Kobl-rabi is a plant that is very little grown, either as a garden vegetablo or as a stock food. Yet it' has virtues. A very big point in its favour is tho alleged fact that, if fed to cows, is docs not flavour the milk. It is like, a turnip with cabbage leaves growing on it".. Those who. are familiar with tho .plant say that tbo root does not possess a turnip flavour, but the flavour of cabbage. Cattle and sheep are very fond of it. It can bo fed off, or stored, or left in tho fields through the winter, for it does not suffer by frosts. Nor is it greatly distressed - by drought. Its yield on good soil is estimated at from 20 to 25 tons per acre. There is a general impression among farmers that, as a stock food, it is- of less valuo per acre than rape, and that, the weight of crop is less per aero than that obtained from swedes and mangels. But such opinions are, in tho absence of general cultivation of the crop, rather inconclusive, and a good end would bo served of'our friend "AV.J.S." would sow down a' few acres this month and let Dohinon readers know tho results later on. The plant certainly gives sufficient return to justify a trial. It is usually sown in spring in drills. AYe would suggost blood aiid: bono as the best manure to use, first harrowing in about about 2cwt. per acre, and then drilling in a similar quantity with tho seed. It likes a good loamy soil, and a well prepared seed bed. For feeding off, its habit of growing tho bulb portion above tho ground makes it very cconoihical for feeding off by sheep. ' The quantity of seed used per acre ranges from 21b. to 41b., and tho crop is ready for use in three months. If tho crop is to be stored, the bulbs should first be stripped of thoir leaves, which make good feed. Like mangels, it is better suited than turnips to strong soil or hot, dry weather. It bears transplanting, so that misses in tho field may be filled in if required, and, on tho whole, it is a- hardy crop. If any Dominon readers have had experience of this crop they may be sure other farmers will be glad to know their opinions.