CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 857 



in the old books, the type of head as originally grown in 

 England and in this country was more blunt or obtuse 

 at the apex than the average strain now sold by seeds- 

 men. It seems that in the attempt to secure earliness 

 the seed growers have encouraged the conical form, 

 which is now typical of the best strains. Solidity of 

 head, earliness, superior quality and scant outside foli- 

 age are the chief merits of this variety. The heads also 

 average larger in size than some other early varieties 

 cultivated less extensively. It is popular among home 

 gardeners, and is unquestionably the leading early 

 variety grown by American market gardeners (Figure 

 66). Many strains or subvarieties have been introduced 

 under new names. New Century and New Early Gem 

 are examples of so-called superior varieties which have 

 been grown at the Pennsylvania Experiment station. 



Charleston Wakefield is supposed to be a strain of 

 the Jersey Wakefield, producing heads a third larger 

 and requiring from three days to a week longer to ma- 

 ture. The heads are not so pointed and the outside 

 leaves are larger. The edible and shipping qualities are 

 good. It is considered the most valuable variety to fol- 

 low Jersey Wakefield when a pointed cabbage is wanted. 



Winningstadt heads are much more pointed than 

 those of Jersey Wakefield, but about the same size, 

 although those grown at the Pennsylvania station are 

 considerably smaller. Because of solidity of heads, ten- 

 derness and fine quality, this variety is a general favor- 

 ite among home gardeners. It lacks shipping qualities, 

 and is seldom planted for commercial purposes, except in 

 a limited way to supply a special trade. 



Early York is of interest historically. It is one of the 

 best-known varieties, is very largely cultivated in Eng- 

 land and was a general favorite in this country before 

 the introduction of Jersey Wakefield. The heads differ 

 from the Wakefield type in being oval or reversed-cone 



