254 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



should be made in the open during May, the transplant- 

 ing occurring six or seven weeks later. Successional 

 sowings may also be made. A deep, rich, moist soil is 

 required for the best results. The plants should be 

 spaced about 18 inches apart in the row, and there should 

 be sufficient space between rows to cultivate with a 

 horse. Nitrate of soda can be used to advantage in addi- 

 tion to stable manure or complete fertilizer. 



The miniature heads form on the late plants toward 

 the end of the summer, when the leaves along the stalks 

 are cut off to favor the development of the "sprouts." 

 These improve in quality by frost, and therefore 

 "sprouts" are most in demand during the late fall, al- 

 though marketed for probably two months before the 

 occurrence of frost. The plants may be lifted and stored 

 during the winter by the methods used for cabbage. The 

 crop is usually marketed in berry baskets, and some- 

 times in two and four-quart baskets. The leading varie- 

 ties sold by American seedsmen are Long Island Im- 

 proved, Burpee Danish Prize and Dreer Select Matchless. 



CABBAGE (Brassica oleracea, var. capitata). 



334. History. In its wild state the cabbage is found 

 on the sea cliffs of western and southern Europe and on 

 the coasts of the English Channel. It has been known 

 from earliest antiquity and was probably in general use 

 previous to the Aryan invasions, 2,000 to 2,500 B. c. 

 Several types were cultivated in the time of Pliny. De 

 Candolle and most authors of English floras admit the 

 plant to be indigenous to Europe. No doubt it was 

 used in the wild state before there were cultivated forms. 



335. Botany of the Wild Cabbage. The wild cabbage 

 plant is herbaceous, usually perennial and sometimes 

 biennial, attaining a height of 2 to 3 feet. The root is 

 tough and woody; the leaves are stalked, lyrate or pin- 



