34 THE SEED-GROWER. 
from alternate freezing and thawing, the soil being 
pressed firmly thereon. 
As soon as the ground can be worked in spring, the 
covering is removed with plow and hoe, and the outer 
leaves are separated to allow the seed shoots to come 
through. 
Seed from Stumps.—In England, in raising seed 
from stumps, the practice is to sow seed for the crop in 
May or June; the plants thus forming heads in early 
autumn. These heads are then cut and the stumps 
after being permitted to produce some new growth, are 
transplanted or allowed to remain where they are. The 
following spring, the growths produce flower stems and 
seed in due course. 
Another method in England which is practiced by 
some market gardeners who grow the heads for market, 
is to sow in August, the plants being left in the field 
where they stand over winter and heading in spring; 
the heads are then cut and the stumps produce side 
growths immediately, and subsequently flower stems 
and seed. 
In the United States the stumps are wintered over in 
the same manner as has been directed for plants with 
heads. 
This practice of raising seed from stumps will an- 
swer particularly for private use, especially when the 
heads that are cut are extra choice. 
Harvesting, Threshing, Cleaning.—As has been 
given for borecole, the operations for harvesting, 
threshing, and cleaning cabbage, are similarly per- 
formed. 
Market.—The consumption of cabbage seed in the 
United States is exceedingly large, approximating 1,- 
000,000 pounds yearly; as besides being found in every 
