136 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [FEB. 



end the sooner ; but it must be done with great precaution. This 

 observation is not only -applicable to cabbage and cauliflower plants, 

 but to all other plants under similar circumstances. 



The cabbage plants which were sown last month, should as soon in 

 this as they have arrived to the height of three or four inches, or their 

 leaves to the size of a quarter dollar, be transplanted into a new hot- 

 bed, at the distance of three or four inches, plant from plant, every 

 way ; in order to promote their growth, give them strength, and the 

 better to prepare them for planting out in the open ground, as soon 

 as the season arrives for that purpose. 



Previous to transplanting either these or cauliflower plants, see 

 that the earth of the new bed is arrived at a proper degree of warmth, 

 so that the plants when planted therein, may receive no check, but 

 strike out new roots and fibres immediately. Let them be constantly 

 kept in a moderate state of growth, admitting plenty of air to them 

 at every favorable opportunity ; for if neglected in this very essential 

 point, they will grow weakly and slender, and never turn out to good 

 advantage ; therefore, let the air be given as often as it can be done 

 with safety, but cover them carefully every night, and even in the 

 day-time, in extremely severe weather. 



SOWING CABBAGE SEED. 



This is a good time to sow a full crop of cabbage seeds, such as 

 the early Wakefield, early York, early dwarf Battersea, early sugar- 

 loaf, &c. ; these may be sown in a hot- bed, as directed for cauliflowers, 

 any time this month, but the earlier the better, especially if none 

 were sown in January : these will come to perfection at an early and 

 very acceptable time. 



Towards the latter end of the month, you may sow these kinds on 

 a warm south border, to be covered with frames and glasses, or on 

 slight hot-beds made in warm situations, and covered with paper 

 frames, or with boards and mats occasionally. 



Oiled paper covers will do extremely well for this purpose, and 

 may be used to much advantage where glass lights cannot be had. 



Sow also some red pickling-cabbage, flat Dutch, large drumhead 

 Savoy, and other late cabbage seeds to succeed your early; summer 

 crops ; these will produce larger heads and earlier, than if sown much 

 later. Many people never think of sowing these late kinds at this 

 time, which is an egregious omission, and ought not to be copied by 

 any person who wishes to have a regular succession, and in the great- 

 est perfection, of this invaluable vegetable. 



The method of sowing these seeds in hot-beds being so similar to 

 that of cauliflowers, a repetition is unnecessary ; therefore see page 

 29. Always observe to give the plants plenty of air, in order to 

 harden and strengthen them, and to prevent their spindling up in 

 a weakly manner, more especially if you do not intend to transplant 

 them into another hot-bed before their being finally planted in the 

 open ground. 



But notwithstanding all this precaution, you must not omit to keep 

 them constantly in a growing state, and duly protected from the in- 



