.<r' 



LEADING VEGETABLE CROPS I3I 



should never be cut until solid, except in very late 

 fall when danger of freezing threatens. When sent 

 to distant markets cabbages are packed in ven- 

 tilated barrels or in double compartment crates. 

 The early cabbage is sometimes shipped in basket 

 hampers. Early cabbage deteriorates more rapidly 

 than later cabbage on account of its incomplete de- 

 velopment and the season in which it must be 

 handled. In the close markets cabbage is usually 

 handled in bulk in a satisfactory manner. 



The larger per cent of the late crop is grown 

 primarily for storage purposes and is sold during 

 winter and early spring. Successful storing de- 

 pends largely 

 upon the variety ^^^ 



and the method 

 employed. There 

 are various ways 

 of storing cab- 

 bage, but the most cabbage stored in pit for winter 

 common one is in 



pits. These pits are prepared by digging a trench in 

 some well-drained location from two to three feet in 

 width and about as deep as the heads to be buried. 

 From two to five heads are placed in the bottom of the 

 trench with the stems up. All the leaves, except any 

 showing decay, are left on the plant and wrapped 

 closely about the head. The next layer is placed on top 

 of the first in such a way as to break joints. This 

 makes a pile of conical shape satisfactory for cov- 

 ering. After packing the heads together in the 

 above fashion they are covered with sufficient dirt 

 to prevent severe freezing. As cold weather comes 

 on, more covering is added in the way of straw, 

 corn fodder or other similar material to prevent 



