CABBAGE. 33 



lets, and when taken to the field in these boxes they 

 can be set quickly and without the loss of a single 

 plant, or the slightest check to their growth. 



The average farmer or trucker is not ready for 

 such a radical change of methods, the objection 

 being the want of time, as this work must needs be 

 done at a busy season. To meet their objection, let 

 us say that at the most this method requires but a 

 day's extra labor for an acre of plants when set, and 

 much of this can generally be done under cover on 

 rainy days. But suppose it could not, labor is not 

 lost wnen well applied, and, when plants are grown in 

 this way, and carefully set in the field, the plants will 

 perfect their growth, and the cabbage be ready for 

 the market at least two weeks earlier than when 

 grown in the usual manner. 



There are several farmers on Long Island, 

 within ten miles of New York city, who grow, annu- 

 ally, one hundred acres of early cabbage, cauliflower 

 and other vegetables, whose plants are all grown in 

 this manner, and who could not be induced to grow 

 them in any other way, on the score of economy. By 

 this method a second crop is secured, and in some 

 cases a third. A saving of two weeks in June means 

 a crop of spinach in October, which makes the third 

 in rotation, and which would not be possible under 

 the usual methods. 



PREPARING THE SEED BED FOR LATE PLANTS. 



The preparation of the seed bed for late cab- 

 bage and cauliflower plants should be undertaken as 

 soon as the soil is dry enough that it can be worked 

 fine. After plowing, use the harrow, and make the 



