264 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



tion. One of the best is to place three plants side by 

 side in long trenches, made by plowing a furrow each 

 way. The plants may be placed erect with the roots 

 down, but better protection will be given by placing 

 them at an angle of about 45 degrees. Two or 3 inches 

 of soil is sufficient covering at first, although no injury 

 will be done by 6 inches of soil if the weather is cool. 

 After the ground is frozen, several inches of manure 

 should be added, and in the coldest regions a foot might 

 be used to advantage. 



As soon as the ground can be worked in the spring the 

 plants are removed from the trenches and set in rows 

 3^2 feet apart. Rather deep furrows are required to give 

 the plants proper support, and ridging or staking must 

 be resorted to later in the season when the seed stalks 

 are developing. To allow the seed shoots to push 

 through the heads with ease the tops are cut crosswise 

 at the time of planting. 



The seed stalks are cut about July i, or when the pods 

 have turned yellow, and placed in rows to dry. From 

 two to four days are generally required for drying. When 

 dry the stalks are loaded on a wagon, which should have 

 a large cloth extending around and reaching over the 

 sides of the bed, to prevent loss of seed. 



A tight floor is necessary in threshing, which may be 

 done any time after hauling from the field. The seed 

 should be milled and thoroughly dried before storing. It 

 usually takes from 20 to 25 plants to make a pound of seed, 

 although frequently two ounces are obtained from a plant. 



347. Climate. It is well known that cabbage thrives 

 best in a cool, moist climate. For this reason its culture 

 is largely confined to northern districts. When grown 

 in the South, outside of the mountain areas, advantage is 

 taken of the cool months of late winter or spring. The 

 Danish Ball Head is rarely grown south of Pennsylvania, and 

 at low altitudes in this state this variety is of doubtful value. 



