1 Frz,, 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. - 101 
the industry grew so rapidly that ina very short time England began to export 
large quantities of cauliflowers to Germany, France, and Holland. ‘These 
countries at the present day grow their own supplies, and export to Engiand 
in their turn. 
The many different varieties of eabbages and cauliflowers now in cultiva- 
tion are of comparatively recent origin. At first the only distinction known 
was the division into early and late varieties, which division was brought about 
by saving the seeds from the earliest and latest plants to mature, and by again 
sowing these early and late the next season to gradually increase the difference 
in the time of maturing. By continuing this process, the length of time 
between early and late soon became considerable, and gradually other differences 
became apparent from climatic and other causes, until the two sorts became 
quite distinct. These, again, from being grown in different localities, in various 
kinds of soils, and by various modes of treatment, developed in time into still 
more distinct varieties, which, by cross-fertilisation, led to still more varicil 
forms being obtained, until, at the present day, there are about 200 kinds of 
cabbages and 100 varieties of cauliflowers known. Some of these are com- 
paratively worthless, and some are merely the same kinds under different 
names ; but stilla very large number of distinct varieties is now in cultivation. 
So much for the history of the cabbage and cauliflower. Now to come to 
the practical part, which is—how to grow them. I know dozens of farmers who 
purchase vegetables from Chinamen, so it is fair to conciude that they do not 
know how to grow them themselves. Assuming this to be true, it will not be 
amiss to tell them something about how to grow good, wholesome cabbage and 
cauliflower. 
' THE CABBAGE. 
Cabbages can be grown successfully in all the colder parts of Queensland, 
and also in the moderately warm districts. ‘The chief requirements of the crop 
are rich soil, plenty of water, and thorough cultivation. Poor soil will not 
grow cabbages, so, if not naturally rich, it must be made so by working a liberal 
amount of stable and cowyard manure into the ground. The soil ought to be 
ploughed deeply, and thoroughly stirred up, so that the roots can penetrate in 
search of food and moisture. ‘Lhe first operation is to prepare a seed bed in 
the manner already described; sow the seed in little drills half an inch deep 
and six inches apart, and cover lightly with rotten manure or very fine soil- 
Do not sow deeply; if the seed is merely sown on the surface, and lightly 
raked in, it will grow. TI advise making drills about half an inch deep, because 
itis hardly possible to make them /ess than that depth. 
+ Give plenty of water in dry weather after the plants begin to grow; and 
do not leave the covering too long on the beds, or your plants may get weak 
and spindly. The young plants should be ready to go out four or five weeks 
_after sowing ; and ought to be set out at the first favourable opportunity, on a 
dull or showery day. It is a good plan to sow a little seed every month, so as 
to always have some plants ready to go out whenever the weather is suitable. 
If the ground is yery dry at planting time, take a hose or watering-can 
and pour a little water on each place where a plant is to be set. This will 
prevent the soil from crumbling into the hole, which it will otherwise do in dry 
weather when the dibble is withdrawn. 
; Before taking the plants up, the bed should be well soaked, and, if any 
grubs or aphis are present, the plants, on being lifted, should be dipped in tar 
water or tobacco water, holding them so as to immerse every part except the 
roots. Itis beneficial in dry weather to trim the leaves by cutting them half 
off with a knife. These leaves would decay and drop off in any case, and by 
cutting them back there is less foliage left to use up the scanty moisture in 
the ground. The roots should be placed in an inch or two of a puddle made 
of soil and water in the bottom of a bucket, and the plants carried to the field 
thus, and the roots should not be exposed to the sun or wind. A wooden 
dibble made from the handle of an old spade or fork is the handiest implement 
to use for planting. 
