58 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



four to six inches, at the second or fourth leaf. Keep 

 stocky, and harden off. 



Sow outdoors, usually about the middle of April, 

 when heavy frosts are over, according to variety and re- 

 quired time of maturity (varieties mature in from one 

 hundred to almost two hundred days). Sow in seed-bed 

 for a quicker start and better care, in lighter soil ; rows 

 one foot apart, seed very thinly in the rows. Or sow in 

 hills where the plants are to stand, two feet or more 

 apart each way, four to six seeds to the hill. 



Thin to two inches or more in the rows. In hills, 

 thin to one plant. 



Sow for succession early cabbages late, about the 

 middle of June, or even later. 



Transplant when the permanent patch is ready; the 

 plants should be three to five inches high. Plants raised 

 under glass and properly hardened will stand light 

 frosts, and can be set out before May 1. Set deeper 

 than before to avoid loosening of the roots by wind. 



Culture consists chiefly in keeping the plants grow- 

 ing by maintaining soil -moisture. A mulch of fresh 

 manure around the plants will do this, and will also 

 supply fertilizer. 



The plot should be in the best of tilth. Manure and 

 fertilize as above. If cutworms are expected, bait with 

 clover sprayed when standing with Paris green, cut, and 

 spread in little piles ; or with bran-mash made with 

 sweetened water and poisoned with arsenites. 



