CRUCIFER. 
plants being dibbled in along the centre of a ridgelet. For 
early crops no ridgelets are required, as the plants are inserted 
in rows by a line at.much narrower distances. The season for 
planting a full crop of field-cabbages is in March; but cab- 
bages may be planted as late as June, and produce a tolerable 
crop in November; and in this way they may be made to succeed 
an unsuccessful crop of turnips. The plants used in March 
should be the produce of seed sown in the preceding August ; 
but those planted in May or June may be the produce of Febru- 
ary or March sowings. 
The after-culture consists in horse and hand-hoeing, and 
weeding ; and the crop is taken by chopping off the heads with 
the spade, leaving an inch or two of stalk to each. They may 
be preserved by housing, but only for a short time. The pro- 
duce is said to be from 35 to 40 tons per acre. Sir Humphrey 
Davey found 1000 parts of cabbage gave 73 of nutritive matter, 
of which 41 are mucilage, 24 saccharine, and 8 gluten. 
The application of field-cabbage is generally for feeding milch 
cows, and sometimes to the fattening of oxen, and for sheep in 
the lamb-season. 
The diseases of the varieties of Bréssica oleracea are the 
same as those of the Turnip, with the exception of the forked 
excrescences, and they neither admit of prevention or cure by 
art; but like the turnip, under favorable circumstances they do 
not occur. 
Calendar of the work necessary to be done to the varieties of 
Brassica oleracea. 
1 January. Lay out ground for planting Cabbages, if the 
weather is mild, digging in some rotten dung a spade deep, pro- 
perly mixed with the earth in the bottom of the trench. About 
the end of the month plant about three feet asunder, if large 
growing sorts. The Sugar-loaf and Early York Cabbage, are 
the best for this planting. Fill up the places of the plants that 
have died in the former plantations. On the same ground where 
Cabbages are planted, a thin crop of round-leaved Spinach may 
be sown, broad-cast, which will be fit to gather in April, or the 
beginning of May. Transplant Cabbages and Savoys for seed 
i the beginning of the month, if it has been neglected in No- 
vember or December. Examine the frames in which young 
Cauliflower plants have stood the winter, and let the withered or 
damaged leaves be picked off, and stir the surface of the ground 
a little, if it ean conveniently be done. In mild weather let the 
plants have plenty of free air, by tilting the glasses, or taking 
them entirely off, keeping them close down during night, and in 
rosty weather. If the weather is very severe, cover the glasses 
every night, and in the day-time if necessary, with mats, straw, 
or ferns ; also lay some litter round the edges of the frames or 
hand-glasses, which will prevent the frost from penetrating at 
the sides. Look carefully over the Cauliflower plants, and 
pick the slugs, &c. off with the hand. In severe weather mice 
and rats will be apt to destroy many of the plants ; recourse 
must then be had to traps. 
, Cape Brocoli managed exactly according to the directions 
given for Cauliflower plants. The crops of Brocoli may now 
pe still further protected from the frosts by laying some bean- 
aulm and other litter on the ground amongst their stems, and 
t en stick the ground full of pea-stakes and other branches, in 
mitation of natural coppice. The shade afforded by this pro- 
cess will greatly counteract the effects of sunshine succeeding 
Severe frosts, which at this time, and in February, are so hurtful 
to all culinary vegetables. 
2 February. Early Sugar-loaf Cabbage, and other Cabbages, 
should be transplanted finally, the strongest in the beginning, 
and the weakest in the latter end of the month. Sow Cabbage 
S about the middle or latter end of the month, for July, 
LXXXIII. 
Brassica. . 239 
August, and September use. If the winter has destroyed many 
of the plants of the August sowing, some of the earlier sorts 
may be sown on a gentle hot-bed. Sow some Red Cabbages 
for next winter’s supply. Cabbages and Savoys for seed may 
be planted if not done before. Savoy seed may now be sown 
for the first crop, about the middle or latter end of the month, 
for September, October, November, and December use. Stir 
the mould, and earth-up the. Cabbages that were planted in Octo- 
ber; this will invigorate the plants, and promote their growth. 
Cauliflower plants in frames, and under hand-glasses, should 
have plenty of air every mild day, by entirely removing the 
glasses. About the end of the month some of the strongest 
plants should be finally transplanted, in a rich sheltered spot of 
ground, about a yard distant each way: these should be shel- 
tered occasionally if required. Thin the Cauliflower plants un- 
der hand-glasses, if there be more than four under each glass : 
observe to draw the weakest, raise some earth round the stems 
of those that remain at the same time. The plants that have 
been drawn out should be planted in a sheltered situation, allow- 
ing them sufficient room to come to perfection. Sow Cauliflower 
seeds about the end of this month, to raise plants to succeed the 
early crop; if sown on a slight hot-bed they will be a fortnight 
earlier, giving plenty of air in mild weather. 
3 March. Plant finally the Cauliflower plants which have 
been in frames or warm borders during winter, if not done in 
the former month, in a good spot of ground, well manured, and 
dug in rows about thirty inches apart, allowing the same space 
between the rows. Raise earth round the stems of the Cauli- 
flowers under hand-glasses, the glasses to be removed in fine 
weather. Prick out those plants raised from seed sown the pre- 
ceding month, into a bed of good earth, in a warm situation: a 
hot-bed is preferable, as it will forward them greatly. Sow 
Cauliflower seeds early in this month, if it was not done in Fe- 
bruary, in a moderate hot-bed, or in a bed of good earth, in a 
warm situation, for August use. Sow Brocoli about the middle 
or towards the end of the month, in a warm open situation. If 
sown earlier Brocolis are apt to start, or button, Transplant 
finally all sorts of Cabbages. Sow seeds of Cabbages in the 
beginning or middle of this month; the early kinds for succes- 
sional and young summer Cabbages, the late kinds for autumn 
and winter Cabbages. Red Cabbage should now be sown for 
winter use. ‘These will be well cabbaged about Michaelmas. 
Sow Savoy seed for a principal crop, to serve from about Mi- 
chaelmas to Christmas. Sow Brussels sprouts any time this 
month. 
4 April. Draw earth round the stems of those Cauliflower 
plants under hand-glasses; let them be fully exposed in mild - 
weather, and when there are warm showers. Finish the planting 
out of Cauliflower plants in frames, warm borders, &c. if not 
done last month. Prick out those plants raised from seed sown 
last month. Cauliflower plants which were raised from seed 
early this spring should be finally planted about the end of the 
month in a piece of good open ground, well dunged, and dug 
about two feet asunder, water them as soon as they are planted. 
Sow Cauliflower seed for a successional crop on a sheltered bor- 
der, and guard the seed well against birds at this season. The 
Cauliflower plants which were keptin pots during winter may now 
be finally planted out if the weather is fine. Make holes suffi- 
ciently large to admit a spade full of rotten dung, and upon this 
set the plants, one in each hole. They should be carefully turned 
out of the pots with balls ; settle the mould about them by gentle 
watering, these will require to be sheltered during inclement 
weather until the month of May. The Cape Brocoli sown in 
autumn, and wintered with the Cau/iflowers, may now be finally 
planted, and treated in the same manner as Cauliflowers ; they 
should be protected by a few branches until the weather is set- 
