Cultural Directions. — 203 



Late Cabbages. — These are much more a farm than a market 

 garden crop, and as a farm crop are often quite profitable. A 

 •possible surplus, as well as the waste and all the unmarketable 

 part of the crop can generally be put to good use in the cattle 

 yard. Sow seed during May in seed bed, and transplant during 

 June in well-prepared and liberally-manured soil, making rows 



Wintering Cabbages in Pit. 



three feet apart, and plants from i^ to 3 feet apart in the row, 

 according to vigor of variety, and strength of ground ; or sow 

 thinly during June in drills three feet apart, and afterwards thin 

 to the proper distance. In either case thorough cultivation 

 and frequent hoeing are conditions of best success. The inter- 

 mediate varieties, such as Winningstadt, Fottler's, etc., will 

 often give good heads for winter, at least in a moist season, 

 even if sown as late as July, A handful of good fertilizer, bone- 

 dust, potash, etc., (according to the needs of the soil) or a some- 

 what larger quantity of wood-ashes or composted hen manure, 

 scattered around the plant after 

 it has become well established 

 after transplanting, as also light 

 dressings of nitrate of soda, are 

 always a great help. All of 

 our hard- heading cabbages, when 

 they are approaching maturity, 

 and are not soon gathered, are 

 liable to burst open or crack, 

 which spoils them for market 

 if not for use. Heads show- Express, 



ing this inclination may be pushed or pulled over to one 

 side. This breaks or loosens part of their roots, and for some 

 reason appears to counteract the undesirable tendency. I still 

 have to add that cabbages should not be grown soon after 

 cabbages on the same land. Club-root — a disease which attacks 

 the root, and hinders the full development of the plants — is the 

 usual penalty of a violation of this rule. 



