CABBAGE 33 



as the usual requirements of the cultivator may suggest, and it will be 

 well to include some good Colewort. For the final planting of these 

 there should be well-made ground, following Peas and Beans, or 

 Potatoes, and as much manure should be put on as can be spared, 

 for Cabbage will take all it can get in the way of nourishment. In 

 the planting out, the distances must be regulated with care, with a 

 view to cover the ground closely without crowding the plants that 

 are to remain for hearting. The smaller sorts will do well at a foot 

 apart, but in a strong soil fifteen inches may be allowed between the 

 rows, and a foot between the plants. A profitable mode of cropping 

 where full-hearted Cabbages are wanted in spring is to begin by 

 making two sowings, one of a quick Colewort about July 15, and one 

 of a heavy Cabbage, such as Button's Imperial, or Enfield Market, 

 about the end of July or beginning of August. Plant out the 

 Imperials at two feet every way, and then back them with the 

 Coleworts, which are to be planted at a foot apart, in rows alternating 

 with the Imperials, and also between the latter. All the Coleworts 

 are to be drawn as they acquire size and can be got rid of advan- 

 tageously, and before spring growth commences the very last of them 

 must be cleared off. There will remain a plot of Imperials for 

 hearting, and when the heads of these are taken the stumps will 

 supply another and heavy gathering during the summer. The one 

 autumnal sowing of one sort referred to as practised by many may in 

 this way be improved by making two autumnal sowings and employ- 

 ing two sorts. 



All plantings should be done in showery weather if possible, or 

 with a falling barometer promising rain. This cannot always be 

 waited for, and it is a peculiarity of Brassicas, and of Cabbage in par- 

 ticular, that they will endure, after removal, heat and drought for some 

 time with but little harm, and again grow freely after rain. But good 

 cultivation has in view the prevention of any such check, for at the 

 best it is a serious loss of time in the brief growing season. Therefore 

 in droughty weather it will be advisable to draw shallow furrows and 

 water these a day in advance of the planting, and if labour and stuff 

 can be found it will be well to lay in the furrows a sprinkling of short 

 mulchy manure to follow instantly upon the watering ; then plant with 

 the dibber, and the work is done. If the mulch cannot be afforded 

 the water must, and to water the furrows in advance is better than 

 watering after the planting, as a few observations will effectually prove. 

 If drought continues, water should be given again and again. The 

 trouble must be counted as nothing compared with the certain loss of 



