1124 



Trials of Spring Cabbage. 



[Mar., 



Earliness. — The date on which the different varieties were 

 ready for cutting is shown in the table. It will be noticed that 

 there is a very considerable difference in the dates of cutting. 



The earliest varieties were April, Harbinger and Kedbraes 

 Early. These were first cut on 29th March. The bulk, how- 

 ever, of April was several days later than the other two 

 varieties. Early hearting is of great importance for the first 

 cuttings, as prices usually run high at the beginning of the 

 season. It has been mentioned that Offenham is the popular 

 variety in the Holland area. In the trials Offenham and . 

 varieties of the Offenham type were generally three weeks later 

 than the varieties mentioned. 



A considerable amount of further investigation is here required. 

 For instance, in the first place has the district in which the seed 

 is saved any influence on the resultant crop. Again, supposing 

 seed of the same variety was obtained from different districts, 

 the question of selection comes in. There is undoubtedly a very 

 great difference in the strains of any variety. It would almost 

 appear to be necessary to select one's own strain, and send the 

 seed to different districts to be grown, the seed then being 

 returned here for trial. 



Yield per Acre. — The yields per acre are not given, as many 

 of the dwarf sorts should have been planted closer. Any 

 figures given therefore would not convey a true idea of the 

 possible yields per acre. Useful information may, however, 

 be obtained from a comparison of the weight and number 

 required to fill a pot or net. 



Remarks on Certain Varieties. — Flower of Swing.— This 

 variety behaved very badly in the trials. Tt hearted very late, 

 and the hearts when formed were not solid, although it is 

 usually reckoned as being very early in hearting, and very free 

 from " bolting." It produced abundant foliage in the late 

 autumn and early spring, and could have been cleared as 

 " Greens " at the end of January. Messrs. Sutton say 

 they have never known this variety to bolt to any extent, 

 nor have they known it to heart so late, and I have myself 

 usually found this variety, when true to name, to throw very 

 few " bolters." It is, however, noteworthy that seed of Flower 

 of Spring obtained from another source and sown a month later 

 behaved in exactly the same way as the earlier sowing. The 

 behaviour of this variety is being watched with interest in the 

 1922 trials. 



