

142 CABBAGES. [MAKClf, 



the horse -hoc is to save some of the cxpencc of 

 hand-hoeing, and at the same time to make the 

 crop flourish better. The advocates for this hus- 

 bandry acknowledge, that there are more plants in 

 the old method ; but assert, that the tillage of the 

 plough is so much more effectual than that of the 

 hand-hoe, and the admission of air among the 

 plants so much freer, that the loss of number is 

 more than made up in the gain of size. It has 

 also been said, that horse-hoeing is so effectual, 

 that there is no occasion for dung with it ; but let 

 all good farmers be very suspicious of such asser- 

 tions. If they give up the benefits of rich ma- 

 nurings for any purpose so imaginary, they will 

 certainly repent it. Potatoes may, in certain soils, 

 be cultivated without dung, with some, but never 

 with equal profit ; and on most lands it is abso- 

 lutely requisite. After all, let it be remembered, 

 that April is a better time for planting this crop. 



CABEAC 



There are two principal seasons for planting 

 cabbage-crops designed for cattle, viz. the latter 

 end of April and the beginning of May, and about 

 Midsummer. The land lor both I suppose to have- 

 been ploughed, the first time at Michaelmas. If 

 February was very favourable for tillage, another 

 earth should have been given, if the teams had 

 leisure for it. The fields to be planted in April 

 and May, must be ploughed again in March. 

 v.- slirr'ngs arc not to be flat, but the land kept 



on 



