CABBAGES, HOW TO GROW THEM, ETC. 35 



burying them in soil between ledges of rock, which 

 kept the ground very wet when Spring opened ; the con- 

 sequence was every cabbage rotted. If the heads arc 

 frozen more than two or three leaves deep before they 

 are pitted, they will not come out so handsome in the 

 Spring; but cabbages are very hardy and they readily 

 rally from a little freezing either in the open ground or 

 after they are buried, though it is best when they arc 

 frozen in the open ground to let them remain there until 

 the frost comes out before removing them if it can be 

 done without too much risk of freezing still deeper, as 

 they handle better then, for being tougher the leaves are 

 not so easily broken. If the soil is frozen to any depth 

 before the cabbages are removed, the roots will be likely 

 to be injured in the pulling, a matter of no consequence 

 if the cabbages are intended for market, but of some 

 importance if they are for seed raising. Large cab- 

 bages are more easily pulled by giving them a little 

 twist ; if for seed purposes this should be avoided, as it 

 injures the stump. A small lot that are to be used with- 

 in a month can be kept hung up by the stump in the 

 cellar of a dwelling house ; they will keep in this way 

 until Spring, but the outer leaves will dry and turn yel- 

 low, the heads shrink some in size, and be apt to lose in 

 quality. Some practice putting clean chopped straw in 

 the bottom of a box or barrel, wetting it, and covering 

 witli heads trimmed ready for cooking, adding again 

 wet straw and a layer of heads, so alternating until the 

 barrel or box is filled, after which it is headed up and 

 kept in a cool place, at or a little below the freezing 

 point. No doubt this is an excellent way to preserve a 

 small lot, as it has the two essentials to success, keep- 

 ing them cool and moist. 



