CABBAGE. 37 



thick, broad-cast, or over the ground, if the weather be dry. 

 Tramp in the seed with the feet ; rake evenly and smoothly, 

 and finish by giving the beds a gentle beat with the back of 

 the spade. If drought continues, water them a few times, and 

 they will be up in eight or ten days. Towards the end of 

 October, the strongest plants of this sowing will be fit to plant 

 out. Prepare some rich, well-dug ground ; draw deep drills, 

 eighteen inches apart, and dibble the plants one foot apart in 

 the row, on the south or east side of the drills, so as the plants 

 may have all the benefit of the Winter suns, and be sheltered 

 by the tops of the drills from the north and north-west winds. 

 After the frost sets in severely, lay straw thinly across the 

 drills, which will fully protect the plants. On the approach 

 of Spring, remove it ; these plants will be ready for cutting 

 eight or ten days earlier than those that have been kept in 

 frames all Winter. The balance of the plants for the main 

 crop must be protected in a cold frame, covered with boards 

 or shutters, removable at pleasure. It may be made by any 

 person, merely taking a few boards about one foot wide ; stretch 

 them along in any sheltered situation, to the extent that will 

 hold the required plants of Cabbages and Lettuces (say twenty 

 feet long and six feet wide, which will hold four thousand 

 plants, which, after allowing a considerable portion for failing, 

 will be enough for a large family). Sink in the ground short 

 posts of cedar or locust at back and front, and nail firmly there- 

 to sound boards of oak or pine, the board at the back one foot 

 high, the one on the front six inches ; this, when covered, 

 will allow the rain to run oiF. Throw up the earth close round 

 the outside of the frame, to keep the water from entering under 

 the boards or among the plants. If they are Jkept wet during 

 Winter they will die off, or what gardeners call " damp off." 

 In fact, the dryer they are kept the more safe they will be. 

 Give air in all clear weather during Winter. In severe frost 

 they should remain covered all day, but expose them fully in 

 mild weather. Take care that mice do not prey upon theiKi 



