6 Richard Frotscher’s Almanac and Garden Manual 
The past season has not beena good one for shippers. Cabbages 
did not pay: the crop for shipping came in too late, and the weather 
being warm they did not arrive in good order at destination. Beets 
also did not pay, there were too many planted. Onions, Peas, 
Early Potatoes and Cucumbers paid well, but, owing to late cold 
weather, did not bear as well asin former years. 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 befter than in a number of previous years. 
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 we need for our climate, and the interest I take 
in the seed business, coupled with the thorough knowledge of the 
same, enables me to assist in making selections of seeds for that 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 acopy of a letter from Major A. W. Rountree, 
who is one of the - largest and most succes sful Cabbage growers in this 
State. 
ORANGE GROVE, 
Jefferson Parish, October 24, 1885. 
Mr. R. 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, ‘while 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 horthern cities to supply 
the demand. And, again, in the latter part of the summer and fall sea- 
sons it is reversed, and thousands of ear 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 otf Cow Peas, or some other green 
crop, several weeks before the time for setting outthe 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 packing for shipment open crates are used, and the 
loose leaves should be removed, excepting about one cirele to act as 
a sort of 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 
cenerally 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 ina favorable season makes nice 
heads. 
Yours truly, 
A. W. ROUNTREE. 
qs 
eee ee eee 
