416 
throughout the year; but in case of any defi- 
ciency in the autumn-sown crop, it will be 
advisable to sow some of the early kinds, and 
also a few small red Cabbages, on a warm border, 
about the end of January or beginning of 
February; or, preferably, in a frame, taking 
care, however, that the plants are kept thin, 
exposed as much as possible to the light, plenty 
of air being given at all times, and covering 
only when the severity of the weather renders 
it absolutely necessary. 
Cultivation.—The soil in the seed-beds should | 
intended plantation should be well pulverized, 
be light and well pulverized. On a large scale, 
the ground is raked tolerably smooth, the seeds | 
sown broadcast or in drills, raked in, and rolled. 
In private gardens, where fewer plants are | 
needed, the seeds can be sown in drills or broad- 
cast on a bed in any convenient position, pass- 
ing a light roller over the bed, or beating it 
lightly with the back of the spade. If the 
weather is very hot and dry, cover the bed with 
a mat, in order to keep the surface moist till 
the plants make their appearance. When large 
enough they should be regularly thinned, and 
the soil kept stirred with a small hoe. Thus 
treated the plants do not become crowded, and 
they form good roots without pricking out into 
nursery beds, as is sometimes done in order to 
encourage the production of more fibres. This 
object may also be effected by thoroughly water- 
ing the beds about a week before transplanting, 
and then raising a little both soil and plants 
with a fork. In consequence of this moving, 
fresh roots are emitted, and the plants suffer 
less when finally transplanted. 
The distances at which different sorts require 
to be planted depend on the size which they 
usually attain and on the richness of the soil. 
The smallest sorts may be planted a foot apart 
each way; but a somewhat greater distance may 
be allowed in very rich soil. Near London, the 
early varieties are planted for spring Cabbages 
at 2 feet apart each way; but then the rows are 
backed, as it is termed, with plants sown a week 
or ten days earlier. 
be afterwards drawn as Coleworts; and, for the 
same purpose, an intermediate row is planted a. 
foot apart between the permanent rows. The 
ground is then occupied with plants at a foot 
apart each way, but all are removed for use as 
Coleworts in the course of the winter, except 
those planted at 2 feet apart for hearting in 
spring. If Coleworts are not to be grown inter- 
mediately, the distance between the plants is 
reduced to 22 inches each way. 
A plant is inserted be-_ 
tween every two in the rows already planted, to | 
THE GARDENER’ ASSISTANT. 
Coleworts, when planted by themselves, may © 
be about 8 inches apart, in rows a foot asunder, 
and every alternate plant in the row should be 
taken as required for use; the additional space 
thus given will soon be occupied by the plants 
which are left. 3 
In planting out Cabbages, advantage should 
be taken, if possible, of cloudy moist weather; 
but in long-continued drought the plants in the 
seed-beds may get so large as to render it 
absolutely necessary to plant them out at all 
hazards. The surface of the ground for the 
and drills similar to those made for Peas should 
be drawn for the rows, and well watered a day 
previous to planting. If there are dry clods and 
dust on the surface, the consequence is this— 
when the dibber is thrust in and withdrawn, a 
portion of the dry clods and dust falls into the 
hole—a condition very unfavourable for the 
roots. The seed-beds should also be well 
soaked, in order that the plants may be moved 
with little injury to the roots, which should be 
raised with a fork, and exposed to the air as 
little as possible. 
The drills in which the Cabbages have been 
planted should be kept only moist, and not what 
would be termed wet, till the plants have struck 
root, when, if the surface of the ground be kept 
stirred, watering will scarcely be required. 
Except in dry weather, furrows or drills for 
the plants are not required. Grounds which 
supply the best Cabbages for the London 
markets are planted on the level, and no 
mould is drawn to the stems, which, in fact, 
do not require it; for the best growers do not 
culitvate what are termed long-legged sorts, 
neither do they force their plants to become 
such by bad treatment, such as overcrowding in 
the seed-bed. These cultivators find it advan- 
tageous to stir the whole surface of the soil, and 
close to the roots of the plants. If planted on 
poor ground, liquid manure should be given 
freely in the spring, or nitrate of soda at the 
rate of 2 lbs. to the square rod, otherwise 
growth will be slow and the hearts of little 
value. By drawing the soil to the stems furrows 
will be formed, along which sewage and strong 
liquid manure generally may be freely dis- 
tributed with marked benefit to the crops. If 
the plants are left on the ground to form a 
second crop, they must be manured afresh. 
Propagation by Cuttings—Cabbages are best 
raised from seeds; nevertheless they may be ad- 
vantageously propagated by cuttings in some 
cases—for instance, in warm climates, where it _ 
