96 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



and early in May, and are followed by the others 

 grown in the open ground. 



Some growers, when they see the earlier Cabbages 

 beginning to heart, gently raise the large outer leaves 

 upwards to the top, and tie them round the centre with 

 a piece of raffia or rye grass. This makes the hearts 

 eventually more tender and of a better flavour, while 

 it accelerates hearting up. It is also an advantage 

 to have the Cabbages thus tied up when one comes 

 to pack them for market. 



EARLY SUMMER CABBAGES. For a supply of Cab- 



FIG. 23. FLAT PARISIAN (PLAT DE PARIS) CABBAGE. 



bages during the summer months an early variety called 

 " Plat de Paris " (fig. 23) is much favoured. It is so 

 short stemmed that the large, flat heads appear to sit 

 on the ground. Seeds of this variety are sown under 

 cloches or in a gentle hot-bed about the middle of 

 February, and are afterwards pricked out in nice soil 

 at the rate of 400 plants to a light, or 30 under a cloche, 

 when the seed-leaves are well developed. A little air 

 is given when they have recovered, to keep them 

 sturdy. Early in April these young Cabbages will be 

 ready for the open air, and may be planted by them- 



