CHAPTER VIII 



CROPS GROWN FOR FOLIAGE AND STEMS 



CROPS grown for stems and foliage include members of the 

 cabbage family, a number of plants used for greens, and 

 several eaten as salads. 



166. The cabbage. The scrawny wild cabbage growing 

 near the seacoast in England is probably the ancestor of the 

 present-day sorts 

 (Fig. 71). Improved 

 varieties of cabbage were 

 cultivated over 2000 

 years ago. The red 

 cabbage has been grown 

 extensively in Holland 

 for hundreds of years, 

 but never became popu- 

 lar in North America. 

 The Savoy varies from 

 the common cabbage in 

 having wrinkled leaves 

 (Fig. 72). As it is crisp, tender, and of a delicate flavor, it is 

 one of the best cabbages for culinary purposes. 



Cabbages are grown to a certain extent in nearly every 

 part of North America, but the cool Great Lakes region of 

 the United States and Canada leads in acreage. A deep well- 

 drained, well-manured, rich loam is best for their growth. 

 Clay subsoils near the surface are undesirable. 



For early cabbages the plants are grown from seed sown 

 under glass. The seedlings are hardened by being exposed to 



103 



FIG. 71. Wild cabbage plant in seed on chalk 

 cliffs of England. 



