TKUCK FAEMING. 6*15 



The Cabbage {Brassica oleracea). 



Tlie cabbage is, both for points near and distant from cities, one of 

 the most important vegetables for the truck farmer. 



Of the many varieties of the cabbage family he has to do only with 

 a few of the white and heading sorts, with tbe cauliflower, and with 

 kale, but the cultivation of the latter is confined to Norfolk. 



A variety of cabbage to be suited for cultivation at the South for ship- 

 ment sl'-ould be sure to head; to produce medium to large heads they 

 should be so hard and compact as not to shrink much, and should be 

 ])0])ular in market. Very large heads are not desirable, not being so 

 well suited for retail. 



The Early Summer, Winnigstadt, and Brunswick are leading varie- 

 ties. The Jersey Wakefield, but for its liability to burst, although small, 

 would head the list. Tait's Extra Early is extensively planted at Nor- 

 folk. The Flat Dutch is preferred for the local and Western interior 

 winter trade. European seed are sometimes more sure to head, while 

 American-grown are more hardy. It is of very great importance to 

 have pure, reliable seed of cabbage and cauliflower. Poor ones are 

 higli at any price. 



Under favorable circumstances cabbages will form merchantable 

 heads in live months from the seed. If stunted by unfavorable weather, 

 cold, or too much rain, by inadequate manuring, poor cultivation, »&c., 

 and this period becomes materially extended, many of the plants will go 

 to seed instead of heading. The seed should, therefore, not be sown too 

 early ; if under glass, as the safest plan, between the 1st and 15th of 

 November; if in the open ground, during October. These are liable to 

 be injured by freezes, the plants not being, generally in the South, able 

 to survive a temperature belo\^ 24P. To secure a hardy stocky growth 

 the soil of the seed-bed should not be recently manured, if not poor 

 ground, and the glass never put on unless to protect against anticipated 

 freezing weather. The best soil for the cabbage crop is a moist, sandy 

 loam. Any soil well prepared and well manured will, however, produce 

 a fair crop, unless too dry and sandy, or it may be aifected by the hot 

 suns in March and A])ril during the heading season. Lime is very bene- 

 ficial to the cabbage family, and the shelly lands along the coast and 

 the sea islands are peculiarly well adapted to it. 



Cabbages require frequent stirring of the soil, but it should be shal- 

 low, so as not to disturb the roots and to stunt the plant. The Northern 

 demand becomes active in March. In preparing the heads for market, 

 for the purpose of protecting them from bruising each other, a few outer 

 leaves should be left and the stems trimmed closely. They should not 

 be allowed to become heated by the sun after being cut, but be packed 

 as cool and as dry as possible. They carry better in crates. If barrels 

 are used they are to be covered with cloth (old grain sacks usually), the 

 contents bulging about G inches above tlio top of the barrel. Whatever 

 ])ackage is used considerable force should be applied, in order to pack 

 lirmly. 



A package should contain from eighteen Brunswick to fifty Winnig- 

 stadt, and even a greater number of Wakeflelds. If of good quality 

 otherwise the small heads bring a fair price. 



From 170 to 200 barrels or barrel crates is a good crop, and such a 

 one of good stock has averaged in the Northern markets $4 gross per 

 barrel. My own crop of 1882 averaged $4.53, principally in the New 

 York and Boston markets, but prices ruled very high in that year. The 



