AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
x 
OF HORTICULTURE. 227 
Cabbage—continued. 
much cultivated by cottagers as well as gardeners. None 
of those forming close hearts will bear severe frost, but 
the Savoys are improved by a little in the early autumn. 
The Coleworts are very useful in winter, being perhaps the 
hardiest of all; and, as the hearts do not get so close and 
hard as the Savoy and other Cabbages, the frost, unless it 
is very severe, does not injure them so much. 
Cultivation. The crop obtained in April and May is 
usually the most important one, young Cabbages being 
then much appreciated by everyone. The time for seed- 
sowing varies in different localities, from the third week in 
July to the middle of August. The first date would pro- 
bably prove suitable for the northern parts of the country; 
and the latter would be early enough for the south. The 
seed should be sown thinly in beds of rather light, well 
pulverised soil, afterwards covering these with netting, 
to protect the seed from birds. The plants will be ready, 
in most cases, for placing out during September, or as soon 
as the ground can be cleared of other crops and prepared 
for their reception. The Early Battersea, or one of its 
many allied sorts, is best for sowing at this season; and, 
when planting out, an allowance of 2ft. apart each way will 
ba sufficient. Seed should again be sown on a mild hotbed 
in February, and occasionally afterwards, for succession ; 
and a second crop may be obtained from the plants put out 
in autumn if they are allowed to remain. Drumhead and 
other strong-growing sorts, sown in spring, will require 
from 6in. to 1ft. more space when planted out. These are 
not, however, of such good quality as the smaller-growing 
varieties. 
Savoys. The seed of these should be sown in March or 
April, according to the locality, in the same way as 
described above, in seed beds; and the after treatment is 
also very similar. The young plants must not be allowed 
to starve in the seed bed, but should be kept watered, and 
Fic, 305. Savoy CABBAGE. 
planted out in June and July, choosing dull weather for 
the operation. The ground should occasionally be hoed 
between the plants, to keep the surface open and destroy 
weeds. Distances of from 15in. to 30in. between the plants, 
according to the variety, must be allowed. See Fig. 305. 
Coleworts. Seed of these should be sown about the end 
of June, and planted out 1ft. apart on a sheltered border, 
Cabbage—continued. 
when large enough, Rosette is one of the best varieties; 
but the early Cabbages are often grown and used as Cole- 
worts before they have had time to form close hearts. 
Y 
Fic, 306, EARLY YORK CABBAGE. 
Pickling Cabbage. The Red Dutch is the variety 
generally grown for pickling, and is probably the best to 
keep its colour when so treated. Seed should be sown in 
August, to stand the winter, and again in February for a 
succession ; only a few plants will, in the majority of cases, 
be required, as, if liberally treated, they grow to a good size. 
Fic. 307. OXHEART CABBAGE, 
Sorts of White Cabbage. These are extremely numerous, 
and selections or improved forms are of annual appearance. 
Some of the old types are. however, still much cultivated. 
The following are a selection of the best sorts for general 
purposes: Atkins’ Matchless, Carter’s Heartwell, Early 
Battersea, Early York (see Fig. 306), Ellam’s Early Dwarf, 
Enfield Market, Little Pixie, Oxheart (see Fig. 307), St. 
John’s Day (see Fig. 308), Sugarloaf, Wheeler’s Imperial, 
and Portugal or Couve Tronchuda. The last-named variety 
was introduced from Portugal some years ago, where it is 
