192 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



fine cabbages. Frequent stirring the soil, too, will rob 

 the atmosphere of its ammonia for the same purpose. 



The genus to which the cabbage belongs, (Brassica,) 

 embraces also the Turnip, Borecole, Broccoli, Cauliflower, 

 Brussels Sprouts, etc., and the following observations ap- 

 ply to the whole of them. 



For the seed-bed the soil should be a moist loam, but 

 more dry in the case of plants which are to stand the 

 winter. For final production most plants of this genus 

 like a fresh, very rich, moderately clayey loam. A moist, 

 cool bottom suits them admirably ; such of them as are 

 to stand the winter in the open ground should be grown 

 in a lighter soil, not over rich. Good, well-decomposed 

 stable manure is usually employed in preparing the soil 

 for this genus. Pure hog manure is by some considered 

 objectionable, as it is said to cause any of the cabbage 

 tribe to become clump-rooted and lose their regularity of 

 shape. A plentiful application of salt the autumn before 

 planting, say at the rate of eight or ten bushels per acre, 

 is very beneficial to this tribe, as it destroys the cutworm 

 and keeps the soil moist and cool. Bone-dust, and espe- 

 cially superphosphate of lime, has a very surprising effect 

 upon them, far more than analysis would lead one to 

 suppose. 



The ground is advantageously dug twice the depth of a 

 spade, and should be well pulverized by the operation. 

 All of the cabbage tribe are particularly benefited by fre- 

 quent and deep cultivation ; they especially like to have 

 the soil about them thoroughly worked while the dew is 

 on them. There will be a very great difference in the 

 growth of two plots of cabbages treated alike in other 

 respects, one of which shall be hoed at sunrise, and the 

 other at midday ; the growth of the former will surpris- 

 ingly exceed that of the latter. But the cabbage tribe 

 cannot be hoed too much for their benefit even if daily. 

 The situation must be open and free from all shade or drip 



