THE CABBAGE FAMILY 83 



the soil is prepared a week or so before setting out 

 the plants, so that it may be loose and fine. 



Setting Out. — When the plants are ready for the 

 field, measure off the rows with the garden line, 

 letting them run about two feet apart, and plan to 

 have the cabbages about eighteen inches apart in 

 the row. Dig holes with the trowel four inches 

 deep, and remove sticks and stones so that there 

 will be nothing but soft earth about the roots. 

 Pour into these holes enough water to make the 

 earth moist, but not muddy. Set the roots of the 

 plant so that they will be well spread out, a little 

 deeper than they were in the seed box. Two inches 

 should be deep enough, but if the plant is tall it 

 may be set three inches deep, not more. 



Some people use a dibble, or round stick, to make 

 the holes in setting out the young plants. This is 

 not so desirable as the trowel, for the inexperienced 

 gardener. There is constant danger of getting the 

 roots bunched together and damaged, in thrusting 

 them into the small holes. By opening a larger hole 

 with the trowel, one makes sure that the roots are 

 well spread out and free from objects that may ob- 

 struct their growth. Before putting into the ground, 

 trim off two or three of the outside leaves. 



Late Cabbage. — The Danish Ball Head cabbage 

 is the leading variety for winter use in America. 

 This variety was perfected by the Danes, who lead 

 Jhe world in cabbage growing and supply most of 



