6 Richard Frotscker's Almanac and Garden Manual 



they are fit for shipping; the planting at that time is more remune- 

 rative than at any other. 



There is a broad field yet to growers of vegetables for shipping. 



The past season has been a good one for shippers. Cabbages did 

 not pay. Except the first shipped, the crop for shipping came in too 

 late, owing to the severe freeze in January. When the weather gets 

 hot, cabbage does not carry well. Beets, Onions, Peas, Early Potatoes 

 and Cucumbers paid well ; Beans have done finely, the Valentine and 

 Best of All carried in good condition. The Wax Beans did not arrive 

 in such good order, except in rare cases. Tomatoes paid. 



Gardeners and others who contemplate raising vegetables for ship- 

 ping, are invited to give me a call. From the fact that all staple 

 articles are raised for me by contract, in such sections best suited to 

 mature the varieties w^e need for our climate, and the interest I take 

 in the seed" business, coupled with the thorough knowledge of 

 same, enables me to assist in making selections of seeds for the pur- 

 pose. The interest of my customers and mine are identical. My 

 stock is the best selected and largest in the South. 



The following is a copy of a letter from Major A. W. Kountree, 

 who is one of the largest and most successful Cabbage growers in this 

 State. 



Orange (trove, 

 Jefferson Parish, October 24, 1885. 

 Mr. E. Frotscher, New Orleans, La. 



Dear Sir ;— In answer to your request, that I should give you my 

 views and experience in Cabbage culture, I can only say that, w^hile I 

 cheerfully give you the benefit of my experience— hoping it may help 

 to give light on the subject— I think there are many growers better 

 qualified, from longer experience, to speak on the subject. 



Cabbage has become one of the leading articles of vegetable diet, 

 and at almost all seasons of the year is in constant supply. In the 

 spring and early summer car loads of Cabbage are to be seen daily on 

 all the railroads from the South going to all northern cities to supply 

 the demand. And, again, in the latter part of the summer and fall sea- 

 sons it is reversed, and thousands of car loads are sent from the 

 northern States to supply the South. It is a very much larger business 

 than the mass of the people have any idea of, giving employment to 

 thousands of people, and many dollars of capital. 



To make a success of Cabbage growing for shipment at long dis- 

 tances, it requires high culture to bring it to perfection. My mode of 

 culture is to plow under a crop of Cow Peas, or some other green 

 crop, several weeks before the time for setting out the plants. The 

 ground should be replowed and well manured before the planting- 

 takes place. Stable manure or some good fertilizer used freely, will 

 insure good, solid heads. Get good seed of some good, approved variety 

 that succeeds well in your neighborhood. Let the ground be well 

 drained and stir it often, and you will get good results ; but, if the 

 work is carelessly done, you will certainly fail, and then complain of 

 bad seed. In j^acking for shipment open crates are used, and the 

 loose leaves should be removed, excepting about one circle to act as 

 a sort of an envelope for the head. 



I have tried many varieties of Cabbage, and found several kinds 

 to do very well; but all things considered, the Flat Dutch for a win- 

 ter crop, and the Genuine German Brunswick for early spring, are 

 generally preferred by market gardeners. The Excelsior Flat Dutch 

 can be sown in December, and will make a good spring crop. The 

 Early Summer is not so large, but in a favorable season makes nice 

 heads. 



Yours truly, 



A. W. EOUNTREE. 



