148 TRUCK-FARMING AT THE SOUTH. 



twenty-four inches, the beds, or rows, being three and a 

 half and four feet apart respectively. 



CULTIVATION. 



Plants cultivated, like the cabbage, for their foliage, 

 should be pushed by frequent stirring of the soil. No 

 vegetable responds more promptly to generous treatment 

 than this. As soon as the plants commence to grow, the 

 rows may be barred off by the plow to loosen the soil, 

 but it must by no means be deferred late enough to stunt 

 them by injuring the roots. (See chapter on " Insects'"). 

 Under ordinary circumstances, two or three plowings, 

 exclusive of the above, the return of the soil to the beds, 

 and a couple of hoeings may be sufficient for this crop. 



In garden culture, and on a small scale, it is recom- 

 mended to hoe every few days, and only while the dew is 

 on; but the truck-farmer cannot make a hobby of his 

 cabbage field to the neglect of other crops, however val- 

 uable this particular one may be. 



GATHERING THE CROP AND MARKETING. 



The Northern demand generally commences early in 

 March, and the crop should then be in full heading to 

 meet it. 



Judgment and experience are needed to cut cabbages 

 properly. Before its maturity, a head may be soft, that 

 a little later will become hard and compact. Although 

 a matured head presents a peculiar appearance, recog- 

 nizable by an experienced grower, in part by becoming 

 paler on top, it should be grasped and felt with the left 

 hand, before the hatchet (which, with a little longer 

 handle than usual, is the best cutting tool,) is applied. 

 In preparing the heads for market, only a few outer leaves 

 should be left to protect them from bruising in the pack- 

 age and, for the same reason, the stems should be trim- 

 med close to the heads, 



