202 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



secure against casualties. This course has been recommended 

 in regard to the Stone-mason, and, perhaps, the Marblehead 

 Mammoth Drumhead. In common field culture, it seems open 

 to the objection of more care and labor in guarding against the 

 fly, and also, of at least, one extra cleaning of the whole field. 

 This has been our experience, though the objection may not 

 apply to more favored localities. 



Transplanting into the field is usually deferred until a rainy 

 time, and when one does not have to wait too long, it is with- 

 out doubt the best way, though it is not essential. There is a 

 time beyond which it is not desirable to have plants in the seed- 

 bed, and rather than have this much extended, it is best to 

 resort to artificial watering. This time, for a winter crop, is 

 from the first to the middle of July. If the land is backward, 

 they may be set in the latter parts of June. With good man- 

 agement, a crop may be produced after an early crop of peas. 

 The cabbage-plant is tenacious of life, and in the absence of 

 rain, it is only necessary to prepare the ground in the usual 

 way, and after making a hole with the dibble, fill it with water, 

 and set the plant. Another watering within twenty-four hours 

 will be sufficient in ordinary times. This method has been 

 tried in rather a dry timCy and in the middle of a bright day, 

 with perfect success. We pass over the operation of setting as 

 a matter with which all are familiar. One point, however, 

 should be observed, which a novice might overlook, and that 

 is to set deep. If the crown of the plant, or inside leaves, are 

 kept free, there is little danger of overdoing in this way. 

 Having secured a good set or stocking of the ground, the 

 after-cultivation consists in keeping it clean and light. Perhaps 

 no vegetable pays better for a frequent stirring of the earth. 

 Stories of wonderful results are reported where this seems to 

 have been the chief means employed, and testimonies in its 

 favor are so abundant that there is no doubt of its great 

 in^portance. 



If the crop has succeeded well, it will be fit to harvest by the 

 first of November, or soon after, though it may stand with 

 safety as long as the weather continues open. If there is 

 danger of the heads bursting previous to gathering, start the 

 roots to stop further growtli. Owing to their great bulk and 

 liability to decay, it is a somewhat difficult matter to preserve 



