38 CABBAGE. 



the time one field was set it rained so hard that the 

 work had to be suspended. The storm proved to be 

 of unusual severity, lasting for nearly two days. The 

 result was that the rain packed the soil more firmly 

 around the plants than it was in the original seed 

 bed, and there was not the slightest appearance of 

 wilting. 



After the storm was over, the second two acres, 

 which were directly opposite, having soil of precisely 

 the same character, and prepared in the same way, 

 were planted. The ground was as wet as it could 

 possibly be and the plants were put in with the 

 dibber in the usual way. A severe drouth with high 

 drying winds followed the setting of the plants, and, 

 as the soil had only been pressed against the roots, 

 not firmly packed around them, the new feeding roots 

 in many instances could not take hold of the earth, 

 consequently they could not convey food to the plant. 

 What was the result ? The field that was first set had 

 a crop that was as good as it was possible to grow — 

 in fact, it was absolutely perfect. The second piece, 

 because of the check the plants had received, was a 

 total failure. This check gave them sufficient rest 

 to start into seed growth, but as they were not large 

 enough for that they made an abnormal growth, and 

 the field presented nearly every t)rpe to be found in 

 the cabbage tribe. The party for whom the seed 

 was grown was, of course, disappointed, but not 

 astonished, as it was his second experience of the 

 same character. 



DISTANCE APART. 



How close should cabbages be planted? is a 

 question often asked, even by those who grow them 



