AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 85 



the field, was the effect upon quality. The overlapping- leaves did 

 not effectually shut out the rain, yet wheD the moisture had once 

 entered the spaces betAveeu the leaves, it Avas sufficiently inclosed to 

 prevent a rapid evaporation. This continued dampness among the 

 leaves very soon caused the outer portions of the heads to decay. As 

 the season advanced, the decay extended both outward and inward, 

 resulting in a large proportion of the leaves falling' off a long time 

 before the growth of the plants would otherwise have ceased. The 

 result was that not a single marketable head was produced by the 

 plants receiving the special treatment. Doubtless the premature 

 falling of the leaves accounts in a measure at least for the decreased 

 size of the heads. 



Deduction. Tying up the outer leaves of the cabbage appears to 

 have no influence upon the maturity of the heads, but it results in a 

 marked decrease in the size of the heads and causes them to decay. 



3. Effect of mulching: The value of straw or some similar 

 material used as a mulch, in the conservation of soil moisture has 

 often been discussed. Our experience in mulching tomatoes has al- 

 ready been reported.* 



In order to ascertain, if possible, the effect of a similar treatment 

 upon cabbages, several plants of three different varieties were given 

 a mulch of swale hay, a sufficient amount being put on so that when 

 packed down it should be two or three inches thick. It was applied 

 after the plants had recovered from the check of being set in the 

 field and growth had fairly begun. Three corresponding lots re- 

 ceived frequent cultivation. 



Table III is a statement of the results as- represented by figures. 



Report Maine Experiment Station, 1894, p. 64. 



