THE CABBAGE OR BRASSICA FAMILY 85 



search, with gloved hands, in the centre of the plants, then 

 go methodically over the outer leaves paying particular 

 attention to the under-surfaces. It is well worth remember- 

 ing that the dragon fly is a great enemy of these caterpillars. 

 Destroy all eggs that are found, but give the caterpillars to 

 the poultry. 



(7) The Root Fly is a most destructive pest which attacks 

 the portions of the plant below the ground. A good deal 

 may be done in small plots and gardens to overcome this 

 fly by the use of tar. Take a square of tarred felt or linoleum 

 which has been smeared with tar, cut a line to the centre 

 and shape out a small circle. Place this around the stem of 

 the seedling and press it down firmly on the ground. As the 

 plant grows, make the circle larger to accommodate, com- 

 fortably, the stem. In this way we may effectively suppress 

 this troublesome pest. 



Cabbages, including Coleworts and Savoys, are 

 probably the most frequently grown members of the 

 brassica family. They are certainly not the most tasty 

 form of greens, but as supplies may be procured all the 

 year round by judicious planting there is much to be 

 said for their cultivation. 



The grower who wishes to have a perpetual supply 

 should sow the early varieties of cabbages at the end of 

 March, for cutting in June. A fortnightly sowing from 

 this time onwards will give produce until the end of 

 September, and for a supply in the spring sow in July. 

 In this way we shall secure matured plants during nine 

 months of the year. To make provision for the remain- 

 ing three months it is a good plan to hasten early 

 varieties by feeding copiously with manure water and 

 to retard the late kinds by transplanting once, twice, or 

 thrice. Even when cabbages are raised according to 



