Vegetable Growing in Colorado. 
9 
the early crop, the seed should be sown in the hotbed in February 
or March and if possible transplanted once before they are finally 
put in the field. They are put out in the open as soon as the 
weather will permit. In milder climates where the temperature 
does not go below zero, the seed may be planted in cold frames in 
the fall. They spend the winter in the frames in a dormant state 
and are ready for planting out early in the spring. 
The seed for the late crop may be planted in beds outside 
when winter is over and the plants are transplanted to their perma¬ 
nent positions when they have attained sufficient size. 
The best time for transplanting plants of any kind is just be¬ 
fore a rain and one of the worst times is right after a rain. Trans¬ 
planting may be done to advantage in cloudy weather or late in the 
afternoon, and if the soil is dry, it is necessary to apply a small 
quantity of water around the roots of the plants when they are put 
out. 
The leaf area of cabbage plants should be reduced one-third 
or one-half when transplanted so that transpiration, or evaporation 
of water through the leaves, will not be so great. This is accom¬ 
plished by gathering the leaves of the plants together and shear¬ 
ing off the upper portion, being careful not to cut the stems. 
Planting .—For the early crop, plants are set in the field in 
rows two and a half to three feet apart and fifteen to twenty-four 
inches apart in the row. For the late varieties the plants should 
be set three feet apart each way, as they require more room for 
development. This also permits cultivation in both directions. 
Cultivation .—Frequent cultivation is necessary for the best 
development of cabbage. There is an old saying that “cabbage 
should be cultivated every day.” It seems to be benefited by shal¬ 
low cultivation, even in very dry weather when there is already a 
dust mulch over the area. Such culture retains moisture and keeps 
down weeds. Cultivation should be continued as long as the leaves 
will allow passage between the rows. 
Storing .—In storing cabbage for home use they may be kept 
in a cool, well ventilated cellar, or they may be stored in the ground 
as follows: Dig a trench or plow out a deep furrow eighteen 
inches wkle and ten to twelve inches deep on a slight ridge or some 
well drained location. The cabbage heads are pulled up, roots and 
all, and placed heads down in this trench. The first layer will con¬ 
sist of two rows of heads and a second layer of one row of heads 
may be put on top of the first, placing the heads between the roots 
of the first layer. Straw may be placed next to the cabbage and 
the whole covered with a light layer of soil which is gradually 
