1922.] 



Trials of Spring Cabbage. 



1123 



ever, sowings of " Leeds Market " made in July and August 

 both showed a tendency to bolt. 



Treatment of the Land. — The field used for the trials has the 

 reputation of being a bad one. The previous crop — potatoes — 

 was nearly a failure, but an excellent crop of cabbage was 

 secured. The land was ploughed after the potatoes were 

 lifted and then worked down. Planting was commenced on 

 28th September and continued for about a week. The plants 

 were put out in rows 2 ft. apart, with 1 ft. 2 in. between the 

 plants. The usual spacing is 1 ft. 6 in. by 9-12 in., but the 

 extra width between the rows was necessary to allow the horse 

 hoe to be used, as the land produced a large amount of 

 chickw r eed. 



All varieties were planted at the same distance apart. The 

 larger sorts, such as Early Market, completely covered the 

 ground at the distance allowed, but the smaller sorts, such as 

 Harbinger and Redbraes Early, did not half cover the ground. 

 Commercially, of course, the more plants that are set out per 

 acre, consistent with securing good cabbage, the more " profit- 

 able will the crop be. It is not uncommon for plants to be set 

 out 1 ft. by 6 in., but cabbages of good size are rarely obtained, 

 the crop being cut when half hearted. 



Manuring. — No farmyard manure was applied to the cabbage 

 crop. Soot, at the rate of half a ton per acre, was applied 

 in December and 2 cwt. of nitrate of soda w 7 as given at intervals 

 from the middle of January, J cw 7 t. per acre being applied at 

 each dressing. This appeared ample for the crop, as it finished 

 particularly well. The amount of organic matter in the field 

 was, however, very high. 



Hardiness of Varieties. — Tt was thought that the district in 

 which the seed was saved might have an influence on the hardi- 

 ness of varieties. As previously mentioned, seed w T as therefore 

 obtained from different districts. No difference was, however, 

 noted in the hardiness of the varieties grown. The w r inter of 

 1920-21 was very mild, only one short spell of frost occurring 

 in December. This frost was very severe, and may have been 

 the cause of the high percentage of " bolting " which occurred 

 in certain varieties. Recurring frosts and thaws would no 

 doubt destroy more plants than a continued severe frost, but 

 severe frost might cause " bolting." 



The percentage of ' ' bolting ' ' is given in the table at the end 

 of this article. Further trials are being carried out to test 

 varieties for hardiness. 



e 2 



