279 MAY. 



DRILL CABBAGE-SEED. 

 The common culture of this plant, every one 

 knows, is that of sowing the seed on a seed-bed, 

 and transplanting where to remain ; but a much 

 superior method was that practised by the late Mr. 

 Bakewell, of drilling the seed at once the beginning 

 of this month where the crop was to femain. This 

 saves the expence of transplanting ; but that is an 

 object of very small consideration, compared with 

 the much superior point of certainty ; and being se- 

 cure against those droughts in June, which some- 

 times delay the planting so long, that a full, or 

 nearly a full crop, is unattainable. I have often- re- 

 marked how exceedingly superior plants have been, 

 that were singled out in nursery-beds, and left with- 

 out moving, when compared with others drawn out 

 and transplanted. It is true, there is one object in 

 which this system is inferior to the common prac- 

 tice ; from February to June is gained for the fallow- 

 in the usual culture ; but not equally in this new 

 method. It is therefore to be recommended, not to 

 practise it on foul land ; but, in fields tolerably clean, 

 it may be safely executed : however, perfect safety 

 is attained if the cabbages follow some other fallow 

 crop, as turnips, tares, beans, &c. The seed should 

 be drilled in the Northumberland way for turnips 

 on ridges, upon good land, four feet broad, and 

 upon inferior soils, three feet : the manure being 

 laid in the furrows, and the ridges reversed for co- 

 vering it. This is a very profitable application of 

 dung, which should be taken long and fresh from 



the 



