Cabbage. 65 



Distance. 



For irrigated fields 30 by 15 inches is the distance. If 

 no irrigation is used 40 by 50 is a good distance. Crowd- 

 ing produces medium size heads, running about forty to 

 the crate, which is a very desirable size. Heads running 

 very large are not so saleable, and command a lower 

 price. If ground is low, plants should be set on a slight 

 ridge ; if high in a small furrow. This is a crop which 

 requires abundance of moisture and plenty of fertilizer, 

 and one on which irrigation pays well. This crop re- 

 quires from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of good commercial 

 fertilizer, and an additional 200 pounds of nitrate of soda 

 applied broadcast when the plants begin^ to head. A 

 heavy soil containing abundance of humus is to be rec- 

 ommended for cabbage. Frequent stirring of the soil- is 

 particularly beneficial to this crop. 



Bursting. 



Some varieties, especially the Wakefields, burst very 

 quickly after the heads are matured. This can be ob- 

 viated by going over and pushing over all fully matured 

 heads with the foot. These should be pushed to the north, 

 in order to protect them from the sun. Another way, if 

 the patch is uniformly headed, is to go through with a 

 bull-tongue and plow deeply on one side of each row, cut- 

 ting off part of the roots and checking the growth. When 

 ready to cut, the heads, together with several loose leaves, 

 are cut with a sharp butcher knife. If rows are wide 

 enough and not too stumpy, the best way to gather the 



