REPORT OF MR. W. S. BLAIR. 301 



run up to 100° making it desirable that we have a thermometer to determine the 

 temperature. Seed should not be sown when the temperature is higher than 80°. 

 From 45 to 50° Fahrenheit at night, and 75 to 80° during the day, have given 

 good results here. In order to keep up such a temperature during very cold nights, 

 the glass will have to be covered with mats, bags or straw. If such are used, they 

 should be removed as soon in the morning as possible, as the early morning sun 

 materially advances the growth of young plants. 



During the day care and judgment must be exercised to ventilate according to the 

 condition of the weather. A few hour's sun with no ventilation towards the middle of 

 the day will sometimes do a great amount of damage. When water collects on the 

 inside of the glass it shows that ventilation is required. In any case the frame should 

 be closed about the middle of the afternoon thus preventing the bed from cooling too 

 much before night. 



"Watering should not be neglected, but it should be done judiciously. Too much 

 water should not be used especially if the weather is dark and cold, as the soil is liable 

 to become soggy and sour, and the seeds, if not germinated, are liable to rot. Never 

 water when the sun is shining brightly, for in doing so the foliage of the plant is liable 

 to be injured. Keep in mind that success depends upon the bottom heat supplied from 

 manure, the top heat from the sun, the giving of sufficient water and the necessary 

 ventilation. 



THE COLD-FRAMES. 



Cold-frames are simply frames and sashes the same as those used on the hot-bed, 

 the pit being filled with soil and no heat below. As soon as the plants started in the 

 hot-bed are large enough, they are transplanted into cold-frames where they grow 

 stronger and stouter, and being gradually hardened may be transplanted to the open 

 ground more successfully. 



CABBAGE. 



Of the different varieties of cabbage experimented with the following seven varieties 

 have proved the most desirable : — 



Seed sown in the hot-bed April 1. Transplanted to the cold frame April 20. 

 Transplanted to the open ground May 10. ^ 



EARLY VARIETIES. 



Extra Early Express. — The earliest variety tested, a firm conical shaped head, of 

 medium size with few outside leaves. Can be planted about 20 inches apart in the rows. 



Early Jersey Wakefield. — The best early variety. It is about four days later than 

 the Express but has made better heads. Medium size with few outside leaves and 

 conical in shape, of excellent quality. It can also be planted close. 



MEDIUM EARLY VARIETIES. 



Henderson! s Succession. — A very attractive variety, heads large and even, firm, 

 round and a good header. The best to head of all the varieties tested. 



Vandergaw. — Considerably later than Succession ; a large round firm head, of 

 excellent quality. It heads well and is a good keeper — one of the best all round 

 cabbages, 



LATE VARIETIES. 



Marhlehead Mammoth Drumhead. — A very large variety, a good header, and firm. 

 Quality excellent, a good keeper. A very desirable late sort. 



Late Flat Dutch. — Large solid, round, flat head, a good header ; quality excellent 

 and a good keeper. 



Mammoth Rock Red. — Deep red colour, heads large, round and firm, an excellent 

 header. The best red variety so far cultivated here. 



