CABBAGE. 



The history of the cabbage, like that of most 

 cultivated vegetables, is unknown. We only know 

 that it has been in common use for more than 2,000 

 years among all peoples w^ho have had vegetable gar- 

 dens. The Dutch were the first known to have made 

 a classification of varieties, and they did not multiply 

 varieties to any great extent. The origin of the 

 cabbage, however, is of minor importance compared 

 with a knowledge of its cultivation, and the relative 

 value of the numerous varieties, together with a 

 knowledge of selection, which will enable the 

 grower to improve upon the types under cultivation, 

 and to develop new ones. 



A knowledge of selection is so important to the 

 farmer and trucker that it is necessary to speak of it 

 as a principle in agriculture, in order, not only to 

 show how new varieties have been secured, but how 

 easily others can be developed by careful observa- 

 tion. In every field of grass, grain or vegetables, 

 changes through climatic influences, or as results 

 from a change of soil, are constantly going on. 

 Sometimes in the line of improvement, sometimes 

 the reverse. For that reason we shall speak fully 

 and freely of selection in its relation to seed-growing, 

 in order that every gardener and farmer may avail 

 himself of the advantages that evolve through the 



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