150 
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
XXV.— Report on Cabbages Grown for Trial by the Fruit and 
Vegetable Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, 
at Chiswick, in 1877—78. By A. F. Barron. 
The number of truly distinct or typical varieties of Cabbages 
is not very extended, but their variability of character and 
appearance has led at all times to an almost endless multipli¬ 
cation of names, which are most confusing and misleading. 
The necessity for some arrangement and classification of the 
numerous names of Cabbages found in trade catalogues 
which has long been apparent, induced the Fruit Committee 
to institute a most comprehensive trial under the same con¬ 
ditions of all the varieties and supposed varieties that could be 
procured. 
The collections under trial, numbering 187 distinct samples 
and no less than 150 different names or synonymes, were received 
from the following seedsmen, &c. :—Messrs. Barr and Sugden, 
Messrs. Carter and Co., Messrs. Minier, Nash and Nash, 
Messrs. Nutting and Son, and Messrs. Veitch, of London; 
Messrs. Harrison, of Leicester; Messrs. Stuart and Mein, of 
Kelso ; Messrs. Wheeler, of Gloucester; and W. J. Ellam, 
MM. Vilmorin, of Paris ; M. Leroy, of Angers ; Herr Benary, of 
Erfurt; and Herr Dippe, of Quedlinburg, Germany. 
Two trials or examinations were made. Firstly , from 
seed sown early in March, the Cabbages coming in for use in 
autumn. This formed the most comprehensive trial, the most 
of the varieties showing their peculiar characteristics to great 
advantage at this season, the cool moist autumn weather being 
extremely favorable to their proper development. At this trial 
the greater part of the synonymes, &c., were determined, and 
their adaptability or otherwise for autumn use noted. Secondly , 
from seed sown in July, the Cabbages coming in for use the 
early part of the following summer. In this trial the 
synonymes previously determined were not included, the 
typical or distinct sorts chiefly being tested, including all those 
of doubtful character which were not satisfactorily arranged at 
the autumn examination. In this way the whole of the typical 
varieties were tested twice, both as summer and autumn 
Cabbages, and their proper seasons noted. 
