94 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



4. Do you advise the home growing of seedf If so, how is it done? 



5. Where is most of our cabbage seed grovmf 



6. How many years will cabbage seed retain its vitality? 



7. Is it desirable to buy cabbage seed a year in advance, and test 



it by growing a small 'plot before making an extensive planta- 

 tion? , 



5. Constructing the hotbed. — Unless the seed is sown in a 

 greenhouse or the kitchen window, a hotbed will be needed to 

 start the early plants. Instructions for the making of hotbeds 

 are given in W : 44-45. 



See W : 44-46 references and questions. 



6. Constructing the cold frame. — Cold frames are practically 

 indispensable in the growing of good early cabbage plants. In- 

 structions for making them are given in W : 46— i7. 



See W : 46-48 references and questions. 



7. Making plant boxes. — Thousands of growers start their 

 early cabbage plants in flats or plant boxes. They have many ad- 

 vantages. Explanations for making them are given in W : 48-49. 



See W : 48-50 references and questions. 



8. Making straw mats. — Plants even as hardy as the cabbage 

 may be killed by freezing in either hotbeds or cold frames. The 

 sashes must be covered at night to insure the safety of the plants. 

 Straw mats have been found highly satisfactory for this purpose. 

 Directions for making them are given in W : 50. 



See W : 50-51 references and questions. 



9. Sowing for the early crop. — In most northern sections, seed 

 for the early crop should be sown about February 1. The 



