AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



227 



Cabbage continued. 



much cultivated by cottagers as well as gardeners. None 

 of those forming close hearts will bear severe frost, but 

 the Savoys are improved by a little in the early autumn. 

 The Coleworts are very useful in winter, being perhaps the 

 hardiest of all ; and, as the hearts do not get so close and 

 hard as the Savoy and other Cabbages, the frost, unless it 

 is very severe, does not injure them so much. 



Cultivation. The crop obtained in April and May is 

 usually the most important one, young Cabbages being 

 then much appreciated by everyone. The time for seed- 

 sowing varies in different localities, from the third week in 

 July to the middle of August. The first date would pro- 

 bably prove suitable for the northern parts of the country ; 

 and the latter would be early enough for the south. The 

 seed should be sown thinly in beds of rather light, well 

 pulverised soil, afterwards covering these with netting, 

 to protect the seed from birds. The plants will be ready, 

 in most cases, for placing out during September, or as soon 

 as the ground can be cleared of other crops and prepared 

 for their reception. The Early Battersea, or one of its 

 many allied sorts, is best for sowing at this season ; and. 

 when planting out, an allowance of 2ft. apart each way will 

 be sufficient. Seed should again be sown on a mild hotbed 

 in February, and occasionally afterwards, for succession ; 

 and a second crop may be obtained from the plants put out 

 in autumn if they are allowed to remain. Drumhead and 

 other strong-growing sorts, sown in spring, will require 

 from Gin. to 1ft. more space when planted out. These are 

 not, however, of such good quality as the smaller-growing 

 varieties. 



Savoys. The seed of these should be sown in March or 

 April, according to the locality, in the same way as 

 described above, in seed beds ; and the after treatment is 

 also very similar. The young plants must not be allowed 

 to starve in the seed bed, but should be kept watered, and 



FIG. 305. SAVOV CABBAGE. 



planted out in June and July, choosing dull weather for 

 the operation. The ground should occasionally be hoed 

 between the plants, to keep the surface open and destroy 

 weeds. Distances of from loin, to 30in. between the plants, 

 according to the variety, must be allowed. See Fig. 305. 



Coleworts. Seed of these should be sown about the end 

 of June, and planted out 1ft. apart on a sheltered border, 



Cabbage continued. 



when large enough. Rosette is one of the best varieties ; 

 but the early Cabbages are often grown and used as Cole- 

 worts before they have had time to form close hearts. 



FIG. 306. EAKLY YORK CABBAGE. 



Pickling Cabbage. The Red Dutch is the variety 

 generally grown for pickling, and is probably the best to 

 keep its colour when so treated. Seed should be sown in 

 August, to stand the winter, and again in February for a 

 succession ; only a few plants will, in the majority of cases, 

 be required, as, if liberally treated, they grow to a good size. 



FIG. 307. OXHEART CABBAGE. 



Sorts of White Cabbage. These are extremely numerous, 

 and selections or improved forms are of annual appearance. 

 Some of the old types are. however, still much cultivated. 

 The following are a selection of the best sorts for general 

 purposes: Atkins' Matchless, Carter's Heartwell, Early 

 Battersea, Early York (see Fig. 306), Ellam's Early Dwarf, 

 Enfield Market, Little Pixie, Oxheart (see Fig. 307), St. 

 John's Day (see Fig. 308), Sugarloaf, Wheeler's Imperial, 

 and Portugal or Couve Tronchnda. The last-named variety 

 was introduced from Portugal some years ago, where it ia 



