170 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



practice ; also to coop a brood of chickens near, as they 

 destroy the worm without injury to the cabbage. Break off 

 a leaf at night and place it on the top of the head. In the 

 morning early most of the worms Avill be on this leaf. Brush 

 them off into a dish of soapsuds. Repeat this daily until the 

 worms are destroyed. Aphides are not so apt to be trouble- 

 some when the plants are in vigorous growth ; an applica- 

 tion of strong soapsuds generally destroys them. Dry 

 charcoal dust mixed with Scotch snuff and dusted over them 

 is however, the most certain remedy. Air-slacked lime in 

 which a few drops of spirits of turpentine have been dif- 

 fused, will generally drive away both aphides and the 

 green worm. The green glazed not being liable to be at- 

 tacked by worms or insects is much the most reliable for a 

 late crop, if it was only as good for the table. 



To preserve Cabbage. — Heel them in, in a dry situation, 

 to their lower leaves, and cover slightly with plank, straw 

 or pine brush, to keep them from freezing and thawing 

 during the winter. 



To save Seed. — This should be attempted in this climate 

 only with the late varieties which should be planted at a 

 distance from turnips and all other members of this family, 

 or they will intermix. Set out some of the best heads in 

 the spring, support the stems as they rise by stakes, and 

 gather the seed before it scatters. Seed will keep four 

 years. 



Use. — Cabbage as an article of food is not so remark- 

 able for its fattening properties as for its power of supply- 

 ing strength for labor by producing muscle and bone, which 

 it owes to its abundant nitrogen and phosphates. Hence 

 it is very nutritious for, and much relished by laboring 

 people in all parts of the world, but is apt to disagree 

 with those of quiet and sedentary habits. With the latter 

 it is more wh olesome and digest ible if eaten uncooked. Many 



