62 FARM-GARDENING AND SEED-GROWING. 



init, the plants are set out, in the same manner as directed 

 for spring planting, and worked the same way. 



I always wish to get at least a part of the early-sown 

 plants set out, as they get fully headed, and give a chance 

 for a very choice selection for stock seed, while the 

 second or last sown, in consequence of not being quite so 

 hard-headed, generally winter the best, but it requires a 

 more experienced eye to select from those half-headed than 

 from such as are fully developed. 



The selections must be made according to the color, size, 

 shape, and general characteristics of the variety. About 

 the first of November another plot of ground is taken 

 one which has just been cleared of a crop and was well 

 manured in the spring, as I find that cabbage seed does 

 better on such than on freshly-manured land. This is deep- 

 ly plowed, harrowed, and quite deep furrows marked out, 

 four feet apart. The choice cabbages from the, bed are 

 placed in these furrows, eighteen inches apart, and laid 

 parallel with the furrows, at an angle of forty-five degrees, 

 always, if possible, with the head to the north, that the 

 stalk, which is the most tender part, may be the better pro- 

 tected. The earth is drawn in abundantly, and pressed 

 over the root and stalk, and partially over the leaves, which 

 are gathered about and over the head. 



Nothing more is required until the approach of severe 

 weather, when with plow and hoe the earth must be 

 drawn over the whole, abundantly over the stalk, and 

 firmly pressed, and sufficiently over the head to protect it 

 from, alternate freezing and thawing rather than from the 

 frost. As early in the spring as the ground can be worked, 

 the soil must be removed from the heads by plowing 

 away, and carefully using the hoe ; and the outer leaves of 

 the head proper be separated, to allow the heart or center 

 germ or shoot to come through, being very careful not to 

 injure the germ, as this is the all-important part in pro- 

 ducing seed. Cultivate and hoe, and when the plants are 



