CABBAGE AS A TRUCK CROP 173 



is broader, somewhat flatter and more obtuse-pointed, and slightly 

 more angular in cross section than the Jersey type. These two 

 types of cabbage are well illustrated in figures 61 and 62. 



Marketing the truck crop. Cabbage from the trucking region 

 is chiefly marketed in carload lots. Long-distance shipments of 

 truck crops of all classes are most economically handled in this 

 way. In fact it would be impossible to carry on the trucking en- 

 terprises of the country in their present magnitude if it were not 

 possible to ship in carload lots. The truck-crop cabbage business 

 is at present chiefly conducted on a commission basis, although in 

 a few sections crops are grown under contract. It is probable that 

 because of the perishable nature of early cabbage it will always be 

 extensively handled on a commission basis. Truck-crop cabbage 

 cannot be shipped in bulk in carload lots as can the autumn crop. 

 It is either packed in crates like those shown in figure 58, or in 

 burlap-covered ventilated barrels like those shown in figure 57. 



An item that should be considered by the grower of early cab- 

 bage for the Northern markets is the quantity of cabbage placed 

 in storage from the Northern fields. A short crop of late cabbage 

 at the North means good prices for early Southern-grown cabbage. 

 Low prices and heavy storage of Northern-grown fall cabbage usu- 

 ally means small returns for early Southern-grown cabbage. This 

 clearly indicates that it is important for the truck farmer of the 

 South to keep close tab on the hold-over crop of the North in 

 order that he may not be the loser. 



This late crop of cabbage, as has been shown, is grown as both 

 a field and a market-garden crop. In certain sections of New York, 

 Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio, cabbage forms a regular 

 crop in the farm rotation, each farmer planting from 2 to 1 5 acres 

 and, in some instances, even larger areas than this. These crops 

 are cultivated much like corn or potatoes, and as the cool weather 

 of fall and early winter approaches, the heads are cut and packed 

 in cars similar to those used for shipping cattle. Later in the 

 season ventilator or box cars are used, and during the winter and 

 spring standard refrigerator cars are required in order to secure 

 insulation during the winter and icing in the spring. This is a 

 cheap way of handling the crop, which in some seasons brings 

 a very satisfactory return. 



