16 



HOW TO GROW 



order to ascertain which, for his soil, market and 

 circumstances, is the best. Practical hints from 

 the experience of others are valuable, but to some 

 extent every one must think and try for himself, 

 and modify general rules by his private circum- 

 stances. This is especially the case with regard to 

 the choice of varieties. While some varieties may 

 be so well tested in the most different soils and 

 localities, and under the most varying conditions, 

 as to be fully assured of their different qualities, 

 there may be others which nothing but personal 

 and repeated trials under varying conditions can 

 decide the value. The wide-awake grower will 

 ever have his attention directed to the discovery 

 for himself of varieties, new or old, which are most 

 suitable and remunerative under his individual 

 circumstances. 



TJiere are two ways of starting early cabbage plants: 

 Sowing in the fall, by the middle of September, in 

 northern localities, in well-prepared soil, and win- 

 tering over in cold frames, or, if for some reason 

 this should not be convenient, the seed may be 

 sown by the middle of February or early in March, 

 in hotbeds of moderate temperature (the ther- 

 mometer showing 50-60 degrees when placed in 

 the centre of the bed, which should have about 

 three inches of earth over the manure), and 

 transplanted into boxes when the second leaf 

 is out. A second transplanting into cold frames, 

 to harden off the plants before planting out, is 

 recommended, as it makes the plants more robust 



