20 



D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 



For many years cabbage seed has been a leading specialty with 

 us. Our cabbage seeds are all grown from approved stock 

 seeds which are largely of our own development on our Oak- 

 view Seed Farm : they are all grown under our personal inspec- 

 tion and supervision. 'There is no seed more reliable, nor can 

 any be more implicitly depended upon to give planters uni- 

 formly satisfactory results. 



CULTURE— Tk requisites for complete success are: First, good seed; in this crop the quality of the seed used is of 

 the greatest importance; no satisfactory results can possibly be obtained when poor seed is planted. Second, rich, well 

 prepared ground. A heavy, moist and rich loam is most suitable. Third, frequent and thorough cultivation. The 

 ground should be highly manured and worked deep. Cabbage is grown all over the country and specific directions 

 regarding the time and methods of planting applicable to all localities cannot be given. In general, north of the 40th 

 parallel the early sorts should be sown verj' early in hotbeds, hardened off by gradually exposing them to the night air 

 and transplanted as early as the ground is in good condition, setting eighteen to thirty-six inches apart, according to 

 size of variety. South of the 40th parallel, sow about the middle of September, or later according to latitude, trans- 

 planting into cold frames if necessary to keep through winter and setting in open ground as early as possible in the spring. 



The late autumn and winter varieties may be sown from the middle to the last of spring and transplanted when four 

 to six inches high. If the weather and soil is dry the late sowings should be shaded and watered in order to hasten ger- 

 mination, but it is important that the plants should not be shaded or crowded in the seed bed, or they will run up weak 

 and slender and will not endure transplanting well. 



One of the most successful eastern market gardeners reconamends sowing cabbage for family use as foUows: at the 

 desired time sow the seed in hills, six to twelve seeds in a place, and after the plants are of sufficient size, thin to a single 

 plant to the hiU, and cultivate as usual. This is a very simple method and in some cases is very successful. 



Cabbages should be hoed every week and the ground stirred as they advance in growth, drawing up a little earth to 

 the plants each time until they begin to head, when they should be thoroughly cultivated and left to mature. Loosening 

 the roots will sometimes retard the bursting of full grown heads. 



Of late years many crops of early cabbages have been destroyed by maggots at the roots. The best remedy seems to 

 be to remove the earth from around the stem and applj' an emulsion of kerosene made as follows; add one quart of ker- 

 osene oil to two quarts of boiling soft soap which has been thinned to the consistency of cream. Stir the oil thoroughly 

 by churning or other method until it has united with the soap and forms a cream-like substance. Then dilute with five 

 times as much water. Tobacco dust, ashes, slacked lime and coal dust are also recommended as preventives, and with 

 us have proved valuable in the order named. These are scattered about the plants, leaving one here and there untreated 

 for the flies to congregate around and deposit their eggs upon, when that plant '^hould be pulled up and destroyed. 



The cabbage worms which destroj^ the leaves and heads later may be killed by dusting with pyrethrum powder, 

 slug shot or Paris green. The last two are poisonous and should not be used in large quantities, or lateJn the season; 

 however, should their use be necessarj', care should be taken to remove the outside leaves before the heads are used. 



If the disease called club root should get a foot-hold, do not plant the land with any of the cabbage family for a year 

 or two. This is usually an effective remedy. 



To preserve cabbages during winter, pull them on a dry day, and turn them over on the heads a few hours to drain. 

 Set them out in a cool cellar, or bury them in long trenches iii a dry situation, covering with boards or straw so as to 

 keep out frost and rain. 



A great many of the varieties of cabbages are simply strains rather than distinct sorts, and are really the same as 

 some older and better known kinds. We do not know of a single variety offered in this country which we have not seen, 

 both in trial and in fields, and we are confident that every good quality can be found in a greater degree in the varieties 

 we offer than in any other kinds. 



FIRST EARLY SORTS 



Early Jersey Wakefield 



The earliest and hardest heading of first 

 early cabbages. Most gardeners depend 

 upon it for the bulk of their extra early 

 crop. Its exceeding h^a-diness not only 

 to resist cold but other unfavorable con- 

 ditions, insures the greatest likelihood 

 of profitable and satisfactory results. 

 Our stock is grown and selected 

 with the greatest care; there is 

 none better and there are few as 

 good. Head conical, very com- 

 pact, solid and of excellent qual- 

 ity. The thick, stout leaves and [..'■■ 

 compact habit make it the best ^" 

 sort for wintering over or for verj= 

 early setting. Pkt. oc: Oz. 20c; ^' 

 2 Oz. 35c; H Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 



Extra Early 



P vr%t*PkCC -^ fi^'^t early sort in 



JUrApi C»» -o-hich the plant is 

 compact, with round, thick leaves 

 forming an oval head astonish- 

 ingly large for the size of the 

 plant. Head comparatively thick- 

 er, less pointed and only slightly 

 later than that of Early Jersey 

 Wakefield and while somewhat 

 softer it stands shipment better, 

 hence is extensively grown in the 

 south for northern markets. 

 Pkt. oc; Oz. loc: 2 Oz. 25c; 

 % Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage. 



Very Early Etampes ILTSjIU'^SS ^ , ^ • 



field. The plant is lighter colored, but not quite so hardy. t^ariV OprillSf 



The head is fully as large, not quite so hard, but of excel- 

 lent quahty. Sold also as '-Earhest of AU, •■ "Wonderful," 

 etc. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; H Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



r^U o ♦.!/:» o-f/^rt rkt- A strain in which the plant is 



^nciriCbtUll Ul larger and a little later than 

 f o«Tf^ \\l€ilr(^iif^\?\ Early Jersey Wakefield, the 

 L*ar^C W dtVClIClU iiead being not so pointed 

 and much larger. Exceedingly hardy and on account of 

 the fine solid head, with market gardeners and shippers it 

 is deservedly a very popular sort to follow Jersey W-ake- 

 field. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; H Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 



The earliest flat headed variety. 



A wonderfully compact plant, 

 with few outer leaves, so that a great number of fine, 

 solid heads can be produced on an acre. Although it does 

 not come to full maturity as early as Jersey AVakefield, 

 it becomes sohd enough for use about as early, and is 

 by far the best early sort for markets that demand a 

 large, flat cabbage. ' The plant is vigorous, with short 

 stem. The leaves are large, broad, and of peculiar light 

 green color. The head is oval, and very large for the 

 size of the plant, nearly equaling those of the later kinds. 

 Pkt. oc; Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; h Lb. 75c; Lb. $2.50 



