44 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



century, principally by the skill and industry of 

 the Battersea and other market-gardeners round 

 London. 



Cabbages were a favourite vegetable with the 

 Romans, and must have been known, in some of 

 their varieties, to our Saxon ancestors, since the 

 month of February was called by them sproutcale. 



The principal varieties in general cultivation are 

 the following, all of which the author has cultivated 

 more or less for a number of years : 



1. Early York. This has been a most valuable 

 early cabbage since its introduction, which took 

 place above 100 years ago. It was first brought 

 to this country from Flanders by a private soldier, 

 named Telford, who was there many years in the 

 reign of Queen Anne. On his arrival in England, 

 he settled as a seedsman in Yorkshire, whence the 

 name and celebrity of this cabbage. Its earliness 

 and delicate taste and flavour still retain it in esti- 

 mation ; and on account of its small dwarf growth, 

 a great many can be planted in a small compass. 



2. Battersea is a roundish, oval-headed, and 

 middling-sized cabbage, that heads quick, and comes 

 in early, and is excellent for use while moderately 

 young, and before it becomes very hard. It is a 

 valuable sort for the cottage-gardener. 



3. Early Nonpareil. This sort is quite new, and 

 the very best in cultivation. It comes in and heads 

 quicker than any other ; and is also of a good size, 

 and of very delicate flavour. Though at present it 

 is not generally known, the author makes no doubt, 

 from what he has seen of it, that it will become a 

 leading variety. 



