CABBAGE. 31 



No matter whether it be a heavy loam, or light sand, 

 before the seed is sown it should be reduced to the 

 utmost possible fineness. But it should not be made 

 rich. In such ground the plant grows too quickly, 

 and in consequence is succulent and weak, and has 

 not the strength to withstand the shock attending 

 transplanting. A soil made rich for a previous crop 

 would be the one best suited for the production of 

 plants. After the soil is thoroughly pulverized, 

 make the surface firm and smooth by the use of a 

 roller, or if that is not convenient, firm it down 

 evenly and firmly with the back of the spade. 



Make drills six inches apart across the bed 

 which should not exceed four feet in width with 

 the edge of a board, which should have the corners 

 taken off. Such a device will make a trench one- 

 quarter of an inch wide at the bottom. Sow the 

 seed thinly, say from four to six seeds to the inch. 

 Then wet the drills thoroughly. 



From the plants' first appearance in the seed 

 bed, they should not receive the slightest check until 

 the heads are perfected. As soon as the young plant 

 breaks through the ground, some insect is ready for 

 attack, and will contest its growth, the first being 

 the black flea, which will destroy all the plants in a 

 day if they are not protected. The best remedy we 

 have tried is tobacco dust, which should always be 

 in readiness. The first application should be in the 

 drill when the seed is sown. After sowing the seed, 

 cover it thinly with the dust, then, if it can possibly 

 be obtained, cover to the depth of one-quarter of an 

 inch with fine white sand; this will retain the mois- 

 ture from below and will not bake and prevent the 

 plants coming up. If sand cannot be obtained, cover 



