5o THE BOOK OF MARKET GARDENING 



their own seed every season. Before cutting is com- 

 menced, those Cabbages which are to be saved for seed 

 are marked with sticks, the best and earliest heads being 

 always selected. But in the rush of marketing the crop 

 the sticks are frequently shifted or knocked down, with 

 the result that, unless most careful supervision is exer- 

 cised, seed of an inferior type is obtained, which may 

 lower the standard of a large crop. 



Notwithstanding such mischances, however, every 

 grower should keep close observation upon his own 

 stock, as both seedlings and " sports " may appear that 

 will pay well for increase, and in such a case, if the 

 novelty is of sterling value, the cultivator is sure for 

 the time being, at least, that he holds the whole of the 

 stock. If of exceptional merit, it may prove a sub- 

 stantial asset, and may pay to distribute in the trade. 



The chief and most readily available sources of 

 novelties for market growers are the large seed raisers 

 in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, who devote 

 considerable capital and land to the highly important 

 work of producing improvements in cultivated plants. 

 Under the right conditions the business is a lucrative 

 one, but it is none the less work of such great public 

 value that it is deserving of generous recognition when 

 it is conducted on the right lines. It is impossible that 

 all novelties can prove to be of special value. That 

 must be largely a matter for individual growers to 

 determine in accordance with their requirements. But 

 there is no question that the firms with any reputation 

 to lose take the greatest care to avoid misrepresentation 

 of the qualities ascribed to productions sent out as 

 novelties. This is not a passing opinion, but is founded 

 upon an intimate knowledge of the methods adopted 

 by the largest firms in the country and on the Con- 

 tinent. For that reason it is strongly recommended to 

 all market growers not merely to give a close inspection 



