Vegetable Growing for Market 



93 



question of a moist seed bed is all-important with regard to the " bolting" 

 of Cabbage, as well as many other things. 



Cabbages usually follow early Peas or Radishes or Marrows. They are 

 planted at the end of August and through September, thus becoming 

 thoroughly established and well advanced before the winter, which is very 

 important in the cultivation of early Cabbage. As the cabbages are cut 

 when the "hearts" are a nice size but not fully grown, the plants do not 

 require so much space; therefore they are planted more closely together 

 than they would be planted for summer or autumn use; in fact, about 

 double the number are planted per acre. Usually these Cabbages are 

 planted in rows 14 or 15 in. apart and 12 in. apart in the rows. The 

 earliest are planted on warm borders and in other warm and sheltered 

 places. They are carefully hoed in autumn and again in February, when 

 they receive their dressings with fertilizer to hasten their growth. 

 Fish guano, nitrate of soda, or a combination of nitrate, kainit, and 

 superphosphate (mixed and applied immediately) are used, the last-named 

 mixture giving a splendid colour and flavour to the cabbage. After 

 April it seldom pays to send cabbage to market: but the earliest cabbages 

 usually realize 3s. to 5*. per " pot " or bushel, therefore all efforts are 

 directed to the early development of the crop. [j. u.] 



Cabbages under Glass. Where large unheated greenhouses exist, 

 some growers utilize them during the winter season for a crop of Cabbage. 

 The seeds are sown in August, and the plants are ready to be put in 

 during October and November, so as to be off by the middle or end of 

 March. About H lb. of seed is required to produce enough plants (40,000) 

 for an acre of ground, the plants being placed about 1 ft. apart every way. 

 During the winter, however, every alternate one, if large enough, is pulled 

 and sold as " greens ", thus ___ 



leaving about 2 ft. of space 

 between the Cabbages that 

 are to heart up later on. A 

 good variety to grow under 

 glass in this way is Hurst's 

 " First and Best ", nice heads 

 of which will often realize 

 Is. 6f7. per dozen. It is not 

 such a good variety for the 

 open air, as it sometimes rots 

 at the base of the head, and 

 this is not noticed till cutting 

 takes place. [j. w.] 



Savoy Cabbage. This, 

 like Scotch or Curly Kale, 

 is a useful hardy winter 



vegetable which wants sharp weather to make it palatable. The seed bed 

 for Savoys should not be made before May, for it is of no use getting 



Fig. 466. Savoy Perfection 



