GREEN FEED FOR SHEEP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2159, 27 June 1889, Page 3

GREEN FEED FOR SHEEP

A orop for oattle and sheep whioh has greatly inoreased m favor during the last few years is thousand-headed kale. In England the seed is sown at the beginning of August, and the plants are set out m Ootober or November m a manured field. Farmyard manure is usually ploughed m, and the plants are stimulated m growth if nitrate of soda is used aB a top-dressing. The crop is ready for being fed by the following July,- and it is usually folded; but when this plan is followed care should be taken not to let the orop be fed off too oloselv, as the stumps will throw out fresh shoot b for use m the following spring if the stems are not peekd by the sheep when the first orop is consumed ; indeed, the_ crop will stand three or even five years if it iB fed carefully. Some farmers out off the heads, leaving three or four leaves on the stumps to grow a second orop, and the produce out off is carted to pastures to be oon earned; bat this Is an expensive method, and if oare is taken i to remove the fold before tbe sheep have eaten too olosely, it is cot necessary to adopt the more laborious plan. As to sowing, it is best to avoid the expense of transplanting. The seed may be drilled, 41b to 51b per aore, where the orop iB to grow, being thinned out aB turnips.— [The kale has been grown with suooesi m South Canterbury. J j