MODE OF PLANTING DISTANCES. 375 



not be too plastic, as in that case, unless the soil be moist, 

 the roots would have difficulty in developing themselves, 

 and the plants would consequently be sufferers. In all 

 cases it is desirable to get them into the soil again as 

 quickly as possible, therefore all the necessary arrange- 

 ments for transplanting should have been previously 

 made. 



In determining the distances at which they should be 

 planted, the character of the variety whether " compact" 

 or "open-headed" and the time and purposes for which 

 they are planted, are the principal points to be considered. 

 The open-headed varieties require more space for their 

 growth than the compact varieties, as the common drum- 

 head ; and those planted early, and intended for autumn 

 and winter keep, are more likely to attain a greater bulk 

 than those planted at a later period. In no case, however, 

 is it advisable to plant even the drumhead variety closer 

 than at 2 feet distances ; this would allow 4 square feet to 

 each plant, and would require nearly 11,000 plants to the 

 acre. At 2^ feet distances, 6J square feet of surface would 

 be allowed to each plant, and an acre would then require 

 about 7000 plants ; and at 3 feet distances, which is re- 

 commended for the open-headed varieties the thousand- 

 headed, for instance each plant has 9 square feet, and 

 4840 are then sufficient for each acre to be cropped. 



In cases where it is desirable to have a supply of cab- 

 bages both for winter and for spring consumption, it is a 

 good practice to plant out the "drumheads" at the usual 

 time, and at wide distances say 3 feet and then to plant 

 out the "open-headed" variety at a later period of the 

 season, in the intermediate spaces between the drumheads. 

 The latter have acquired their full growth, and are ready 

 for cutting, before the others have need for more space ; 

 and as these have to stand for spring keep, they have time 

 to develope themselves after the first crop is cleared away. 



