264 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
tion. One of the best is to place three plants side by 
side in long trenches, made by plowing a furrow each 
way. The plants may be placed erect with the roots 
down, but better protection will be given by placing 
them at an angle of about 45 degrees. Two or 3 inches 
of soil is sufficient covering at first, although no injury 
will be done by 6 inches of soil if the weather is cool. 
After the ground is frozen, several inches of manure 
should be added, and in the coldest regions a foot might 
be used to advantage. 
As soon as the ground can be w r orked in the spring the 
plants are removed from the trenches and set in rows 
3J2 feet apart. Rather deep furrows are required to give 
the plants proper support, and ridging or staking must 
be resorted to later in the season when the seed stalks 
are developing. To allow the seed shoots to push 
through the heads with ease the tops are cut crosswise 
at the time of planting. 
The seed stalks are cut about July 1, or when the pods 
have turned yellow, and placed in rows to dry. From 
two to four days are generally required for drying. When 
dry the stalks are loaded on a wagon, which should have 
a large cloth extending around and reaching over the 
sides of the bed, to prevent loss of seed. 
A tight floor is necessary in threshing, which may be 
done any time after hauling from the field. The seed 
should be milled and thoroughly dried before storing. It 
usually takes from 20 to 25 plants to make a pound of seed, 
although frequently two ounces are obtained from a plant. 
347. Climate. — It is well known that cabbage thrives 
best in a cool, moist climate. For this reason its culture 
is largely confined to northern districts. When grown 
in the South, outside of the mountain areas, advantage is 
taken of the cool months of late winter or spring. The 
Danish Rail Head is rarely grown south of Pennsylvania, and 
at low altitudes in this state this variety is of doubtful value 
