THE CULTUEE OF GREEN CROPS. 75 



liable to attack by the grubs of the root-fly than are 

 those planted in spring; and, further, the bulk of 

 them are cleared off the ground in time for another 

 crop to be put in. These autumn plants should 

 mainly succeed early potatoes, peas, beans, etc. ; and 

 after the ground is cleared of these, there is no need 

 to dig and manure it, if it was well prepared for these 

 crops. The best preparation for the cabbages is 

 simply to clean the ground and then tramp it very 

 firmly all over this is especially necessary for loose 

 potato ground afterwards raking it level. Making 

 the soil firm is important, as it encourages better 

 rooting of the plants, produces firmer growth, which 

 is more resistant to frost, and promotes the earlier 

 and better hearting of the plants in spring. Having 

 prepared the ground on these lines, shallow drills, 

 about 2 inches deep and the full breadth of the 

 hoe, should be drawn at the above-mentioned dis- 

 tance apart. Plant well down to the lower leaves, 

 making the roots firm ; and if the plants are placed 

 along the centres of the drills, a certain amount of 

 protection will thus be afforded them during severe 

 weather. Apply phosphatic fertilisers in winter or 

 early spring, and sulphate of ammonia after growth 

 starts in spring, as already advised for this crop. 



When planting cabbages in spring and early 

 summer, from sowings made in autumn and in spring, 

 similar lines should be followed. The ground having 

 been winter dug and specially manured for this crop, 

 it should be tramped previous to planting, in order 

 to provide the firm rooting conditions so beneficial 

 to this class of plant and place a check on excessive 

 leaf growth. After levelling the surface, plant early 



