22 
D. M. FERRY & CO’S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 
CABBAGE 
For many years cabbage seed has been a leading specialty \vith us. Our cabbage seeds are all grown from approved stock 
seeds which are largely of our own development on our Oakview Stock Seed Farm; they are all grown under our personal in¬ 
spection and supervision. There is no seed more reliable, nor can any be more implicitly depended upon to give planters 
uniformly satisfactory results. & * 
The requisites for complete success with cabbage 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 very 
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, transplanting into cold-frames if necessary to keep through winter and 
setting in open ground as early as possible in the spring. 
The jate 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 are dry the late sowings should be shaded and watered in order to hasten germination, 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. 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 re¬ 
move the earth from around the stem and apply an emulsion of kerosene made as follows: Add one quart of kerosene 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 
aud apply once a week. 
The cabbage worms which destroy the leaves and heads later may be killed by dusting with pyrethrum powder, slug shot or 
1 ans green. The last two are poisonous and should not be used in large quantities, or late in the season; however, should their 
use be necessary, care should be taken to remove the 
outside leaves before the heads are used. If the disease 
called club-root should get a foothold, 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 headsa few hours to 
drain. Set them out in a cool cellar, or bury them in long 
trenches in a dry situation, covering with boards or 
straw so as to keep out frost and rain. 
For further information see books listed on inside of 
back cover. 
A great many of the varieties of cabbages are simply 
strains rather than distinct sorts and are really the 
same ns some older and better known kinds. 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 
r* i t nr i lj The earliest and 
Lariy Jersey Wakerield surest heading of 
first early cabbages. Most gardeners depend upon it 
for the bulk of their extra early crop. Its exceeding 
hardiness, notonly to resist cold but other unfavorable 
conditions, 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. Plant compact and erect 
or very slightly spreading, with few outer leaves, 
which are smooth, thick, nearly oval and light green. 
Stem short. Heads of medium size, very solid, uni¬ 
formly pointed and of excellent quality. The habit of growth and hardiness make it most desirable for early planting. (See 
colored plate opposite and further description in Supplement, page 4.) Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; Va Lb. $1.00; Lb. $2.75 
Copenhag 
short stem and 
| The earliest large round-headed cabbage yet introduced. Head exceptionally large for so 
en Market early a variety, very solid and of most excellent quality. Plant vigorous but compact, with 
few outer leaves which are of rather upright growth. Leaves medium light green, nearly round, comparatively 
thick and smooth. A most excellent sort, both 
Henderson’s Early Summer (See page 24) 
for the home garden and market gardening 
trade. (See colored plate opposite and further 
description in Supplement, page 6.) Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 60c; 2 Oz. $1.00; & Lb. $1.75; 
Lb. $6.00 
I ■ A strain in which 
Charleston or Large the plant is larger 
an(1 a little later than Early 
Jersey Wakefield, the head 
being fully as solid but less pointed and con¬ 
siderably larger. Leaves rather large, smooth 
and comparatively thick. Exceedingly hardy 
and on account of its earliness and size of head 
with market gardeners and shippers it is de¬ 
servedly a very popular sort to follow Jersey 
Wakefield. Plant medium sized, slightly spread¬ 
ing; head pointed but very broad at the base. 
The seed we offer can be depended on to 
produce uniformly fine, marketable heads. 
(See colored plate opposite and further des¬ 
cription in Supplement , page A.) Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; Va Lb. $1.00; Lb. $2.75 
This is the earliest flat 
Larly Dpring headed variety. The plant 
is vigorous, very compact, with few outer 
leaves and short stem. The leaves are nearly 
round, broad, smooth and of distinctive light 
green color, without bloom. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c 
2 Oz. 55c; Va Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.00 
