CABBAGE. 65 



-f HE DANISH BALL HEAD GROUP. 



Danish Ball Head, Hollander, Danish Emperor 

 and German Export form this class, which is rapidly 

 growing in favor, because of their excellent shipping 

 qualities. The heads are of medium size, and for 

 solidity they are not equaled by any other sort. We 

 consider the three but different names for the same 

 variety. Having grown them side by side for a 

 number of years, we have not been able to see the 

 slightest difference in shape, size or habit of growth. 



These have, however, a peculiarity strictly their 

 own, that is, in their habit of growth, which is by 

 no means fixed. A casual look at a field would give 

 a very faint and poor impression of this cabbage, as 

 there is no such a thing as fixed habit with it, other 

 than that it always produces a head, and whether 

 large or small, it will always have that cannon-ball 

 appearance that is characteristic of this class. In 

 distinction from other sorts the heads of this are 

 solid from the start. When not larger than an apple 

 they are as hard as a full-grown head. Some of 

 the plants will be tall, others dwarf, whichever it 

 may be, the plant is sure to make a head of some size, 

 and that head will be solid. 



That this habit may and will be changed by 

 careful selection, we have not the slightest doubt. 

 This work is now well under way, and we await the 

 result with no little interest. The most important 

 consideration in its adaptation to our soil and climate 

 is whether it will hold its solidity of head, which 

 makes it so valuable for shipping purposes, besides 

 making a desirable sort for late keeping. The lesson 

 taught by the development of the red cabbage, which 



