Cabbages for Stock-Feeding. 73 



consideration. C. L. Allen advises (Cabbages, Cauliflower, etc.) that 

 a deep double furrow be plowed on a well drained piece of land and that 

 in this the cabbages be placed roots down. This will hold three rows of 

 cabbages, two rows being laid on the sides and the third between them 

 (Fig. 15). As fast as they are placed, the roots are covered with soil 

 which is packed firmly over them. When the furrow is filled, the cab- 

 bages are covered with soil by plowing a furrow on each side. When the 

 soil is frozen it is covered with litter or manure to prevent freezing of 



the cabbages. 



Seed Production. 



The important points in a cabbage are uniformity in size ; a minimum 

 of outside leaves to head ; a small percentage of stump to leaf when the 

 head is cut open ; a firm head, the leaves being closely packed together ; 

 freedom from evidence of disease or insect injury; and true to name and 

 type if such are recognized and described. Such heads should be selected 

 in the field in the fall, carefully lifted and stored as described. 



The cabbages may be planted as early as possible in spring on some 

 rich and well-prepared ground, being set about three and one-half or four 

 feet apart each way. In some cases the ground is mulched with manure 

 after planting and no culture is given, other than to chop off a weed 

 should one appear. Two varieties should not be planted near together, 

 since the evidence shows that, if they bloom at the same time, they may 

 cross-fertilize. Some other "cruciferous plants will cross-fertilize with 

 heading cabbages. ._ 



Fig. 15. — Method of storing cabbage for seed. \ 



By this means the roots are protected. | 



Birds attack the seeds as soon as they begin to ripen and particularly 

 if cabbages are grown in small quantities. To guard against such rav- 

 ages, it may be necessary to cover the plants with netting. As soon as 

 the bulk of the seeds are approaching maturity the stalks are cut, tied up 

 in bunches and hung in the barn or in some well ventilated place where 

 they can be protected from the birds. As soon as the seeds have matured 

 they may be threshed. A small quantity may be threshed on a sheet by 

 hand, using a stick or light flail. Since seed is so easy to secure, and so 

 expensive to buy, it seems that it would be policy for farmers to save 

 their best plants and grow seed every alternate year, growing sufficient 

 for at least three seasons. Ten plants may be expected to yield one 

 pound of selected, cleaned and first-class seed, and in some cases one 

 plant has given considerably more than this. 



