258 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



shape, oblong, about twice as long as broad, much 

 smaller than Wakefield and not quite so compact. The 

 variety is now seldom planted in this country. 



EXPRESS. This variety has been widely catalogued by 

 seedmen for many years. It was introduced from France 

 and is a selection of Early Etampes, from which a num- 

 ber of early varieties have been developed. The va- 

 riety somewhat resembles Jersey Wakefield in shape of 

 head, but is smaller and matures several days earlier. It 

 is apparently the same as Race Horse, Wood's Extra 

 Early, and Lightning. 



339. Flat Dutch or Drumhead Group. Of the flat cab- 

 bages EARLY SPRING is regarded as the earliest and most val- 

 uable variety. Some markets prefer this type to the conical, 

 and if earliness is the most important factor, Early Spring 

 is the best selection of a flat cabbage that can be made. 

 Growers should bear in mind, however, that this variety 

 is about a week later than Jersey Wakefield and proba- 

 bly a trifle later than Charleston Wakefield. The outer 

 leaves of the head do not become detached readily with 

 rough handling; this is one of the reasons why some 

 market gardeners prefer it to conical sorts. Early Spring 

 is widely planted. The heads are solid and large for the 

 time of maturity. 



EARLY SUMMER. This variety is a third larger than 

 Early Spring, but attains a marketable size three or four 

 days to a week later. It is one of the most valuable 

 midseason varieties. The heads are large and solid and the 

 outside leaves comparatively small in the best strains. 



SUCCESSION. A well-known American seedsman says 

 of this variety: "It is the finest cabbage in existence to- 

 day; whether for medium early, main crop, or later use, 

 it has no equal." It is generally admitted to be a re- 

 markably well-bred cabbage, for large fields often show 

 practically no variation. The heads are larger than 

 Early Summer, and the plants are certain headers, even 



