26 CABBAGE. 



different methods must be adopted from those prac- 

 ticed in other places. 



The favored land for the cabbage is a lively 

 loam, with an open, gravelly subsoil, and near the 

 seacoast; such situations were formerly sought, but 

 when such soil could not be found to the extent 

 required, other soils were tried, and after a few 

 experiments just as good success was obtained. In 

 light soils it is better to plant the early varieties, as 

 they mature more quickly, and a light soil does not 

 like to be slow in its operations. If we wanted cab- 

 bage for fall or winter use, and our soil was of a 

 sandy character, we should invariably plant the early 

 sorts, but should sow the seed at least three weeks 

 later than we should the late varieties. This is a 

 point often overlooked. Quick-growing varieties of 

 any vegetable are better for light soils than late 

 varieties. Hence the importance of ascertaining by 

 systematic experiment, what is best for our soils. 



CONDITIONS OF SOIL. 



There is one important consideration in the 

 growing of all crops : How to get the most with the 

 least possible expense. The question of soil being 

 an arbitrary one, we must, of necessity, use what we 

 have, and it is not at all times possible to have it in 

 just the condition we would like. This is particu- 

 larly true with small farmers, who are obliged to 

 keep all their soil under cultivation. Cabbage can 

 be grown more cheaply, because, in part, the crop is 

 more certain when planted on new or sod ground. 

 For an early crop this should be plowed not later 

 than the first of October — a month earlier would be 



