A NEW FODDER PLANT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143770, 19 April 1912, Page 4

A NEW FODDER PLANT.

FOUR CROPS A YEAR. Among the tests with varieties of fodder crops that have been carried out by the Department of Agriculture this season arc the plots that have boon sown upon the Canterbury Frozen Mont Company's property ai ’ Belfast, near Cnrustchurch. The crop that excited most interest among fanners was the French fodder plant. Chou Moodier, or marrow cabbage, which lias grown to a height of sft. It was sown on October 7 in' drills 3ft. apart, and a portion was stripped on February 29, the weight of loaves being equal to 30.14 tons per acre. The leaves are shooting again, and, three or four crops may be obtained in the year, and the stalks may be finally fed to stock, as they do not contain fibre. Aphis blight is.only showing slightly upon this crop, which is specially suited for dairy cows. Alongside the Chon Moellier is a plot of thousandheaded kale, ■which has grown nearly as high. It was also sown on October 7. and on February/ 1 the weight of tho crop was equal to 23.24 tons per acre. Part was fed off on February X, carrying at the rate of 217 sheep per acre for 14 days. It is now coming away apain, A crop adjoining is Buda Kale, which one might easily mistake for rapo. It was also fed off the same time os the thouftand-hcadod kale, but has regrown much more quickly, and is now reffidy for feeding again. Heavy crops of broad-leaved Essex and Giant Essex rarpe are also growing second crops, afbor carrying 115 lambs to half an acre for n fortnight. The former grew ■equal to 201 tons, and tho latter 385 tons per acre. The last crop in the experiment was silver hrel, which has j Frown a great weight of succulent feed, equal to 51.72 tons per acre.