CTTLTURE Of SARDEWS. 2^ 



this plant to the immber of one hundred or more. The head 

 and curled lettice should be sown early in the spring, in beds, 

 in rows across the bed^ix inches apart. When the plant is 

 up, and the leaf grows to the size of half a cent, they should 

 be thinned so as to stand three or four inches from each other, 

 or they may be sown in a bed, and the plants transplanted like 

 cabbages. The seed may also be sown in the fall, and as the 

 frost approaches, covered with a light layer of stable litter ^ 

 which in that case should be removed in the spring, and the 

 surface of the bed loosened with an iron toothed rake ; it ie 

 said the first vegetation that she ,vs itself will be that of lettice, 

 and it may be thinned and cultivated where it stands, or trans- 

 planted into beds, as that which is sown in the spring. 



Cale is a species of the cabbage, and like that plant, boiled 

 for use. It is distinguished for its upright, long, broad, and 

 open leaves. It has the power of resisting frost beyond that 

 of any other variety of the family. Frost that would be de- 

 •atructive of head cabbage, will make-Cale better. This fact 

 gives it a preference for garden culture, which is always for 

 spring greens. There are a great varietyof other rare sallads, 

 a discription of which is not compatible with the limits of this 

 little volume. 



Cabbage. This plant requires a rich, strong soil ; and wDl, 

 it is believed, grow yearly on the same ground without much 

 exhausting the soil. When an early crop for the table is in- 

 tended, the seeds should be sown very earlj', as soon as the 

 soil presents signs of spontaneous vegetation. The seeds may 

 be sown in the beds where they are designed to be cultivated, 

 though transplanting is the best method. The ^plant should be 

 set up to the leaves, at least two feet apart. But to insure a 

 good crop, the ground must be well worked, and abundantly 

 manured with weU rotted dung. When the crop is intended 

 ■for fall or winter use, the seeds had better be sown some later. 

 'The Romans, who were said to be very successful in the cul- 

 tivation of the cabbage, aimed particularly at giving to the 

 plant ^reat size. And it is believed its tender and deliciouf 



