Savoy Cabbage. 297 



in rendering the soil mellow and friable, but whether prepared 

 in autumn or spring it should receive heavy dressings of manure 

 and be ploughed deeply. The manure should not be in a fresh, 

 rank condition, particularly when given in spring, or a soft 

 loose growth, instead of firm compact heads, will probably be 

 the result. When ploughing is done in dry weather, clods must 

 be reduced by rolling, then harrow well to obtain a fine tilth. 



For ordinary purposes the seed should be sown about the 

 middle of March, but for a long succession make three sowings, 

 one in the midddle of March, a second at the beginning of April 

 and a third at the end. Sow thinly, on well-prepared ground, 

 in drills Sin. apart. Thin the seedlings to avoid overcrowding, 

 dress them occasionally with a sprinkling of lime and soot, both 

 as a stimulant and to keep insect pests away, and keep the soil 

 free of weeds and loose by frequent hoeing, as it is very im- 

 portant that the plants should be sturdy and strong before 

 being set out in their permanent quarters. 



Plant out during June and July, and to make a succession 

 take the largest plants first. For this work choose dull, cloudy 

 days, when the ground is moist ; if the planting must be done 

 in hot, dry weather, the roots should be " puddled " (see pages 

 123 and 124). The smallest varieties are set out 15in. apart 

 in the rows and 18in. between the rows, the distance apart 

 being increased according to the vigour of the variety, until 

 those of the " drumhead " type are planted 2ft. apart each way. 



Manures : Farmyard manure, at the rate of from 20 to 40 

 tons per acre, according to the nature and condition of the soil, 

 is the most suitable fertilizer for this crop. When, however, 

 the soil is in good heart from previous manuring, the quantity 

 may be reduced by one-half, and be supplemented on light soil 

 by 5 cwt. superphosphate and 4 cwt. kainit, or on heavy soil by 

 10 cwt. basic slag and li cwt. sulphate of potash, distributed 

 over the surface in each case immediately before ploughing. 



Varieties : Dwarf Ulm (early and small), Dwarf Green 

 Curled (medium-sized, fine flavour, a favourite for main-crop), 

 Best of All (large and early, drumhead type, very good), New 

 Year (large, late, and good), Drumhead (early and late, rather 

 coarse, frequently grown for main-crop), Ormskirk (late and 

 large, often used for latest supplies in market growing). 



