512 
On the Kohl-Rabi. 
Pkepakation of the Seed-bed and Time of Sowing. 
From what we have stated in the foregoing section, and from 
the prevailing practice, it is not very probable — at all events so 
long as the price of the seed is high and the cost of labour com- 
paratWely low — that the ordinary cultivation by the drill will be 
followed. We proceed, therefore, to the consideration of the 
seed-bed. For the convenience of transplanting it is desirable 
to have the seed-bed, if possible, in a well-sheltered spot by the 
side of the field where the crop is ultimately to be grown. A 
bed of 6 yards square is necessary to furnish sufficient plants for 
an acre. It should be well dug and manured in the winter, and 
finally prepared for the seed by the first week of March. If the 
weather be at all favourable, the seed should now be sown ; but 
under no circumstances should this be delayed beyond the 25th 
of the month for the main crop. A few days are, however, of no 
consequence, compared with the condition of the soil — which 
should be in very fine tilth — and the weather favourable. If no rain 
falls, within a reasonable period after the seed is sown, it will 
be very desirable to water the beds from time to time so as to 
insure a favourable growth. It is best to sow in drills, about a 
foot apart, so as to allow of the operation of the hoe to keep the 
bed clean and free of weeds ; for, if this be neglected, strong 
and healthy plants can never be secured, which renders weeding 
difficult and expensive. Nor should the slovenly method of 
sowing broadcast be followed ; for as the plants are not re- 
moved to the drills until they are at least 6 inches high, 
they may be choked with weeds ere they attain this size, if not 
kept clean. By the first week of May the plants will, under 
ordinary circumstances, have attained to a height of from 6 to 8 
inches, when they are in a fit state for transplanting to the drills. 
The best width for the drills is 27 inches, and they may be 
dibbled in about 16 or 18 inches apart. Mr. Hewitt Davis's 
practice is to set the plants at 3 feet apart, and a month afterwards 
to dibble in a second sowing between, thus reducing the distance 
to 18 inches between each plant. This is a plan we cannot 
recommend for adoption ; for as the second set of plants will not 
attain the weight of those transplanted in May, the crop will be 
irregular and ready for use at different times. We are of opinion 
that where a successional crop is required, the second set of 
plants should be dibbled in drills by themselves and at a less 
distance apart, so that the largest number of plants may be 
grown on a given plot of ground. The seed should be sown at 
intervals for successional crops, so that the plants may not be too 
far advanced for the later transplantings. The first sowing 
should be made early in March ; the second during the first or 
