338 The Principles of Vegetable -Gardening 



becomes cold, freezing somewhat, put on more earth. I think a 

 foot will do no harm. I have had good success with cabbage kept 

 in this manner, but have again lost the entire lot by too hard freez- 

 ing. Hence, we prefer, if possible, to sell the entire crop in the 

 fall, even if we are obliged to sell at a low rate. Cabbage is now 

 stored on shelves in a cool dry building. 



Costs and Profits. — Following were figures for the growing of 

 a market-garden crop of cabbages 10 years ago. We need first- 

 class land, and will assume it to be worth $200 per acre: 



Interest and taxes per year $15 00 



Forty loads of manure at $1 per load . 40 00 



Plowing and fitting the ground .... 3 00 



10,000 plants at $4 per thousand . . . 40 00 



Setting and watering 5 00 



After- cultivation 10 00 



Harvesting and marketing 50 00 



Total . . . . . . . . . $163 00 



If we get 8,000 heads and sell them at $3.50 



per hundred $280 00 



It will give a net profit of $117 00 



I have placed the cost of growing at a fair price (I believe 

 more than it will cost me), and a crop of 8,000 from a setting 

 of 10,000 is only moderate. At present these figures cannot be 

 reached. Sometimes the crop is sold at a loss. 



One ounce of cabbage seed contains over 8,000 seeds, but 

 not more than one-third or one-half of these seeds may be ex- 

 pected to make good plants. Early varieties are set 18x24 

 inches, or 24x24 inches (about 10,000 plants to the acre); late 

 varieties 2x3 feet (about 7,000 plants). Four to six ounces of 

 seed is usually required for an acre. 



For Chinese Cabbage or Pe-Tsai, see the next chapter. 



