414 
acceptable after a hard winter. When they are 
wanted as late as possible lift the plants early 
in the spring, and replant rather more closely 
than formerly on a north border or other cool 
place, this retarding growth considerably. The 
tops should be removed whether wanted for 
use or not. Seeds to be saved from the best 
stocks only, and in the same careful manner 
as advised in the case of Borecole. 
Insects, dc.—See under Cabbage. 
Albert.—This was raised by Mr. Melville at Dalmeny 
Park, near Edinburgh, and is the result of a cross between 
the Drumhead Savoy and Brussels Sprouts. It is hardy 
and late in running to seed. 
Dalmeny.—This was also obtained by the same raiser 
as the preceding, by crossing a dwarf Cabbage with 
Brussels Sprouts. 
a compactly cabbaged head of moderate size, and thickly 
set with Cabbage-like sprouts. 
planted 2 feet by 14 foot apart. 
Dwarf Gem.—The dwarfest of all Brussels Sprouts, 
producing buttons in advance of other varieties. Of 
medium size, very solid, and delicious in flavour. 
Exhibition.—A distinct and early variety; of vigorous 
growth, perfectly hardy, and very productive, the stems 
being covered from top to bottom with sprouts, which 
are firm, solid, remarkably tender, and of delicate flavour; 
remaining a long time fit for use. 
Market Favourite (fig. 1168).— A selection from one of 
the best strains sent to Covent Garden Market. Is of 
medium growth, and produces an abundance of firm, 
tender sprouts of good size, which remain a long time fit 
for use. 
Paragon.—A very superior strain of dwarf growth and 
compact habit; bearing in abundance closely set, medium- 
sized solid sprouts, of fine quality and mellow flavour. 
Paris Market.—A dwarf early strain, producing small, 
very solid sprouts of excellent quality. 
Scrymger’s Giant.—A first-class sort, dwarf, with large 
firm sprouts, which remain a long time fit for use; very 
reliable. 
Sutton’s Matchless (fig. 1169).—Growth robust, stems 
covered with compact globular sprouts of excellent flavour. 
Very hardy, taller than Exhibition. 
The Aigburth.—Very large sprouts, hardy and _ pro- 
ductive. 
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea). —The Wild 
Cabbage, from which all the garden races of 
Cabbage have sprung, is a native of sea-cliffs on 
the south-west of England and Wales and the 
Channel Islands. It is also wild on the west 
and south coasts of Europe. In its wild form 
it is a biennial or perennial, with a stem 1 to 
2 feet high, stout, tortuous, usually decumbent 
and scarred, leafy at the top, the leaves wavy, 
glaucous, and succulent, 1 to 14 foot long; 
flowering raceme elongate, bearing pale-yellow 
flowers an inch in diameter. 
De Candolle states that the date of its culti- 
vation is probably very ancient, earlier than the 
Its stem is 6 or 8 inches high, with | 
Both of these should be | 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
Aryan invasions, and that no doubt the wild 
plant was gathered before it was cultivated. 
“The principal kinds of Cabbage existed at 
least as early as the sixteenth century, so that 
numerous modifications of structure have been 
inherited for a long period. This fact is the 
more remarkable, as great care must be taken 
to prevent the crossing of the different kinds. 
| I raised 233 seedlings from Cabbages of different 
kinds, which had purposely been planted near 
each other, and of the seedlings no less than 
155 were plainly deteriorated and mongrelized ; 
nor were the remaining 78 all perfectly true. 
It may be doubted whether many permanent 
varieties have been formed by intentional or 
accidental crosses, for such crossed plants are 
found to be very inconstant.” (Darwin.) 
Soil.—A. rich, well-manured soil is essential 
for the production of tender and succulent 
Cabbages. Near London they are grown in 
perfection, usually in ground that has become 
light by the application of enormous quantities 
of dung during a long period of years. The 
ground, however, is trenched, or undergoes 
double digging; for, in ground so managed, the 
plants are not so liable to club-root as they are 
in ground that is merely dug over. They will 
grow on soil that is too adhesive for Turnips, 
but the manure applied to such a soil should be 
of an opening nature, and all the better if not 
much decomposed. Farmyard manure in a fresh 
state will be most proper in this case, and it 
should be buried to the depth of one spit below 
the surface. They also grow well on peat soil; 
but to such, a dressing of lime, marl, gypsum, or 
even burnt clay, will be advantageous. Guano, 
superphosphate of lime, nitrate of soda, lime 
rubbish, wood-ashes, and marl have been applied 
with advantage; and other artificial manures 
may be given occasionally; yet they have not 
the mechanical advantages possessed by farm- 
yard manure, which, by keeping the soil open, 
acts as a kind of drainage. 
Sowings.—The first sowing should be made 
about the end of February or beginning of 
March. It should chiefly consist of Hllam’s 
Early or other quick-growing varieties of medium 
size and good quality. From this sowing a sup- 
ply will be obtained for use in July and August, 
and will thus form a succession to the autumn- 
sown crops. 
A second sowing, which may be the principal 
spring one, should be made in the last week of 
March or first week in April, to come in for use 
from August till November. 
A third sowing, to consist chiefly of either 
a 
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