56 



THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



The times of sowing and of setting out vary with local 

 conditions; usually two crops are raised in the North, 

 one started under glass, one sowed in the open ; but a 

 succession may be maintained all summer by several 

 sowings and by choice of varieties. Seedlings raised 

 under glass, and well hardened off, will stand several 



Fig. 28. Cabbage seedlings. Two-thirds natural size. 



degrees of frost. In the North, cabbage was formerly 

 often fall-sown and wintered over in frames, but this 

 expensive and uncertain method has been superseded by 

 raising under glass in spring. Varieties are many and 

 constantly increasing; they differ in size, shape, season, 

 color, and leaf-texture. The long-season plants are 

 the best keepers. Only the very best seeds should be 

 bought. Diseases and pests, not very numerous, are often 

 troublesome. 



