The Rape - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Rape is an annual belonging to the mustard family and a member of the larger brassica group, which includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and turnips. Little is known about the origin of rape except that the seeds have been highly valued for their oil since ancient times. Nearly half the rape seed is oil. Rapeseed oil is used for cooking, lubricating, lighting, fuel, in the manufacture of soap and synthetic rubber. Canola oil is also made from rapeseed oil. The seed residue after the oil has been extracted can be formed into a cake which is a nutritious livestock food. In the United States, rape is grown for forage, particularly for hogs. It is also sown as a
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