file was produced from images produced by ,core ,historical ,literature in ,agriculture 7,,chla71 ,cornell ,university7 ,new ,york ,state ,college of ,agriculture ,at ,cornell ,university ,ithaca1 ,n4 ,y4 ,library 99 99 99 99 99 ,cabbages and ,cauliflowers3 ,,how ,,to ,,grow ,,them4 ,a ,,practical ,,treatise1 ,,giving ,,full ,,details ,,on ,,every ,,point1 ,,including ,,keeping ,,and ,,marketing ,,the ,,crop4 ,illustration3 ,cabbage ,head ,,by ,,james ,j4 ,h4 ,,gregory1 ,,original ,,introducer ,,of ,,the ,,marblehead1 ,,deep ,,head1 ,,warren1 ,,all ,,seasons1 ,,hard ,,heading1 ,,and ,,reynolds ,,cabbages4 ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahhi1 by ,,james ,j4 ,h4 ,,gregory1 ,in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress1 at ,washington1 ,d4 ,c4 ,,contents4 ,,page ,,object ,,of ,,treatise #a ,,the ,,origin ,,of ,,cabbage #a ,,what ,a ,,cabbage ,,is #b ,,selecting ,,the ,,soil #d ,,preparing ,,the ,,soil #e ,,the ,,manure #f ,,how ,,to ,,apply ,,the ,,manure #h ,,making ,,the ,,hills ,,and ,,planting ,,the ,,seed #aa ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,young ,,plants #af ,,protecting ,,the ,,plants ,,from ,,their ,,enemies #ah ,,the ,,green ,,worm #bb ,,club1 ,,or ,,stump ,,root1 ,,or ,,maggot #bd ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,growing ,,crop #bi ,,marketing ,,the ,,crop #cj ,,keeping ,,cabbage ,,through ,,the ,,winter #cb ,,having ,,cabbage ,,make ,,heads ,,in ,,winter #ci ,,foreign ,,varieties ,,of ,,cabbage #dc-de ,,american ,,varieties #df-fj ,,savoy ,,varieties #fj-fc ,,other ,,varieties #fc-fg ,,cabbage ,,greens #fg ,,cabbage ,,for ,,stock #fi ,,raising ,,cabbage ,,seed #gc ,,cooking ,,cabbage1 ,,sour-,,krout1 ,,etc4 #ge ,,cabbage ,,under ,,glass #gf ,,cold ,,frame ,,and ,,hot-,,bed #gh ,,cauliflower1 ,,broccoli1 ,,brussels-,,sprouts1 ,,kale ,,and ,,sea-,,kale #ha ,,cabbages ,,and ,,cauliflowers4 ,,object ,,of ,,this ,,treatise4 ,as a general1 yet very thorough1 response to inquiries from many of my customers about cabbage raising1 ,i have aimed in this treatise to tell them all about the subject4 ,the different inquiries made from time to time have given me a pretty clear idea of the many heads under which information is wanted2 and it has been my aim to give this with the same thoroughness of detail as in my little work on ,squashes4 ,i have endeavored to talk in a very practical way1 drawing from a large observation and experience1 and receiving1 in describing varieties1 some valuable information from ,mc,intosh's work1 ,the ,book of the ,garden4 ,,the ,,origin ,,of ,,cabbage4 ,botanists tell us that all of the ,cabbage family1 which includes not only every variety of cabbage1 ,red1 ,white1 and ,savoy1 but all the cauliflower1 broccoli1 kale1 and brussels sprouts1 had their origin in the wild cabbage of ,europe 7,brassica oleracea71 a plant with green1 wavy leaves1 much resembling charlock1 found growing wild at ,dover in ,england1 and other parts of ,europe4 ,this plant1 says ,mc,intosh1 is mostly confined to the sea-shore1 and grows only on chalky or calcareous soils4 ,thus through the wisdom of the ,great ,father of us all1 who occasionally in his great garden allows vegetables to sport into a higher form of life1 and grants to some of these sports sufficient strength of individuality to enable them to perpetuate themselves1 and1 at times1 to blend their individuality with that of other sports1 we have the heading cabbage in its numerous varieties1 the creamy cauliflower1 the feathery kale1 the curled savoy4 ,on my own grounds from a strain of seed that had been grown isolated for years1 there recently came a plant that in its structure closely resembled ,brussels ,sprouts1 growing about two feet in height1 with a small head under each leaf4 ,the cultivated cabbage was first introduced into ,england by the ,romans1 and from there nearly all the kinds cultivated in this country were originally brought4 ,those which we consider as peculiarly ,american varieties1 have only been made so by years of careful improvement on the original imported sorts4 ,the characteristics of these varieties will be given farther on4 ,,what ,a ,,cabbage ,,is4 ,if we cut vertically through the middle of the head1 we shall find it made up of successive layers of leaves1 which grow smaller and smaller1 almost ad infinitum4 ,now1 if we take a fruit bud from an apple-tree and make a similar section of it1 we shall find the same structure4 ,if we observe the development of the two1 as spring advances1 we shall find another similarity 7the looser the head the closer will be the resemblance71--the outer leaves of each will unwrap and unfold1 and a flower stem will push out from each4 ,here we see that a cabbage is a bud1 a seed bud 7as all fruit buds may be termed1 the production of seed being the primary object in nature1 the fruit enclosing it playing but a secondary part71 the office of the leaves being to cover1 protect1 and afterwards nourish the young seed shoot4 ,the outer leaves which surround the head appear to have the same office as the leaves which surround the growing fruit bud1 and that office closes with the first year1 as does that of the leaves surrounding fruit buds1 when each die and drop off4 ,in my locality the public must have perceived more or less clearly the analogy between the heads of cabbage and the buds of trees1 for when they speak of small heads they frequently call them buds4 ,that the close wrapped leaves which make the cabbage head and surround the seed germ1 situated just in the middle of the head at the termination of the stump1 are necessary for its protection and nutrition when young1 is proved1 ,i think1 by the fact that those cabbages1 the heads of which are much decayed1 when set out for seed1 no matter how sound the seed germ may be at the end of the stump1 never make so large or healthy a seed shoot as those do the heads of which are sound2 as a rule1 after pushing a feeble growth1 they die4 ,for this reason ,i believe that the office of the head is similar to and as necessary as that of the leaves which unwrap from around the blossom buds of our fruit trees4 ,it is true that the parallel cannot be fully maintained1 as the leaves which make up the cabbage head do not to an equal degree unfold 7particularly is this true of hard heads72 yet they exhibit a vitality of their own1 which is seen in the deeper green color the outer leaves soon attain1 and the change from tenderness to toughness in their structure3 ,i think1 therefore1 that the degree of failure in the parallel may be measured by the difference between a higher and a lower form of organic life4 ,some advocate the economy of cutting off a large portion of the heads when cabbages are set out for seed to use as food for stock4 ,there is certainly a great temptation1 standing amid acres of large1 solid1 heads in the early spring months1 when green food of all kinds is scarce1 to cut and use such an immense amount of rich food1 which1 to the inexperienced eye1 appears to be utterly wasted if left to decay1 dry1 and fall to the ground2 but1 for the reason given above1 ,i have never done so4 ,it is possible that large heads may bear trimming to a degree without injury to the seed crop2 yet ,i should consider this an experiment1 and one to be tried with a good deal of caution4 ,,selecting ,,the ,,soil4 ,in some of the best cabbage-growing sections of the country1 until within a comparatively few years it was the very general belief that cabbage would not do well on upland4 ,accordingly the cabbage patch would be found on the lowest tillage land of the farm4 ,no doubt1 the lowest soil being the richer from a gradual accumulation of the wash from the upland1 when manure was but sparingly used1 cabbage would thrive better there than elsewhere1--and not1 as was generally held1 because that vegetable needed more moisture than any other crop4 ,cabbage can be raised with success on any good corn land1 provided such land is well manured2 and there is no more loss in seasons of drouth on such land than there is in seasons of excessive moisture on the lower tillage land of the farm4 ,i wish ,i could preach a very loud sermon to all my farmer friends on the great value of liberal manuring to carry crops successfully through the effects of a severe drouth4 ,crops on soil precisely alike1 with but a wall to separate them1 will1 in a very dry season1 present a striking difference1--the one being in fine vigor1 and the other suffering from drouth1 as the owner will tell you2 but1 in reality1 from want of food4 ,the smaller varieties of cabbage will thrive well on either light or strong soil1 but the largest drumheads do best on strong soil4 ,for the ,brassica family1 including cabbages1 cauliflowers1 turnips1 etc41 there is no soil so suitable as freshly turned sod1 provided the surface is well fined by the harrow2 it is well to have as stout a crop of clover or grass1 growing on this sod1 when turned under1 as possible1 and ,i incline to the belief that it would be a judicious investment to start a thick growth of these by the application of guano to the surface sufficiently long before turning the sod to get an extra growth of the clover or grass4 ,if the soil be very sandy in character1 ,i would advise that the variety planted be the ,winnigstadt1 which1 in my experience1 is unexcelled for making a hard head under almost any conditions1 however unpropitious4 ,should the soil be naturally very wet it should be underdrained1 or stump foot will be very likely to appear1 which is death to all success4 ,,preparing ,,the ,,soil4 ,should the soil be a heavy clay1 a deep fall ploughing is best1 that the frosts of winter may disintegrate it2 and should the plan be to raise an early crop1 this end will be promoted by fall ploughing1 on any soil1 as the land will thereby be made drier in early spring4 ,in ,new ,england the soil for cabbages should be ploughed as deep as the subsoil1 and the larger drumheads should be planted only on the deepest soil4 ,if the season should prove a favorable one1 a good crop of cabbage may be grown on sod broken up immediately after a crop of hay has been taken from it1 provided plenty of fine manure is harrowed in4 ,one great risk here is from the dry weather that usually prevails at that season1 preventing the prompt germination of the seed1 or rooting of the plants4 ,it is prudent in such a case to have a good stock of plants1 that such as die may be promptly replaced4 ,it is wise to plant the seed for these a week earlier than the main crop1 for when transplanted to fill the vacant places it will take about a week for them to get well rooted4 ,the manure may be spread on the surface of either sod or stubble land and ploughed under1 or be spread on the surface after ploughing and thoroughly worked into the soil by the wheel harrow or cultivator4 ,on ploughed sod ,i have found nothing so satisfactory as the class of wheel harrows1 which not only cut the manure up fine and work it well under1 but by the same operation cut and pulverize the turf until the sod may be left not over an inch in thickness4 ,to do the work thus thoroughly requires a yoke of oxen or a pair of stout horses4 ,all large stones and large pieces of turf that are torn up and brought to the surface should be carted off before making the hills4 ,,the ,,manure4 ,any manure but hog manure for cabbage1--barn manure1 rotten kelp1 night-soil1 guano1 fertilizers1 wood ashes1 fish1 salt1 glue waste1 hen manure1 slaughter-house manure4 ,i have used all of these1 and found them all good when rightly applied4 ,if pure hog manure is used it is apt to produce that corpulent enlargement of the roots known in different localities as stump foot1 underground head1 finger and thumb2 but ,i have found barn manure on which hogs have run1 two hogs to each animal1 excellent4 ,the cabbage is the rankest of feeders1 and to perfect the larger sort a most liberal allowance of the richest composts is required4 ,to grow the smaller varieties either barn-yard manure1 guano1 fertilizers1 or wood ashes1 if the soil be in good condition1 will answer2 though the richer and more abundant the manure the larger are the cabbages1 and the earlier the crop will mature4 ,to perfect the large varieties of drumhead1--by which ,i mean to make them grow to the greatest size possible1--,i want a strong compost of barn-yard manure1 with night-soil and muck or fish-waste1 and1 if possible1 rotten kelp4 ,a compost into which night-soil enters as a component is best made by first covering a plot of ground1 of easy access1 with soil or muck that has been exposed to a winter's frost1 to the depth of about eighteen inches1 and raising around this a rim about three feet in height1 and thickness4 ,into this the night-soil is poured from carts built for the purpose1 until the receptacle is about two-thirds full4 ,barn manure is now added1 being dropped around and covering the outer rim1 and1 if the supply is sufficient1 on the top of the heap also1 on which it can be carted after cold weather sets in4 ,early in spring1 the entire mass should be pitched over1 thoroughly broken up with the bar and pick where frozen1 and the frozen masses thrown on the surface4 ,in pitching over the mass1 work the rim in towards the middle of the heap4 ,after the frozen lumps have thawed1 give the heap another pitching over1 aiming to mix all the materials thoroughly together1 and make the entire mass as fine as possible4 ,a covering of sand1 thrown over the heap1 before the last pitching1 will help fine it4 ,to produce a good crop of cabbages1 with a compost of this quality1 from six to twelve cords will be required to the acre4 ,if the land is in good heart1 by previous high cultivation1 or the soil is naturally very strong1 six cords will give a fair crop of the small varieties2 while1 with the same conditions1 from nine to twelve cords to the acre will be required to perfect the largest variety grown1 the ,marblehead ,mammoth ,drumhead4 ,of the other kinds of manure named above1 ,i will treat farther under the head of3 ,,how ,,to ,,apply ,,the ,,manure4 ,the manure is sometimes applied wholly in the hill1 at other times partly broadcast and partly in the hill4 ,if the farmer desires to make the utmost use of his manure for that season1 it will be best to put most of it into the hill1 particularly if his supply runs rather short2 but if he desires to leave his land in good condition for next year's crop1 he had better use part of it broadcast4 ,my own practice is to use all my rich compost broadcast1 and depend on guano1 fertilizers1 or hen manure in the hill4 ,let all guano1 if at all lumpy1 like the ,peruvian1 be sifted1 and let all the hard lumps be reduced by pounding1 until the largest pieces shall not be larger than half a pea1 before it is brought upon the ground4 ,my land being ready1 the compost worked under and the rows marked out1 ,i select three trusty hands who can be relied upon to follow faithfully my directions in applying so dangerous manure as guano is in careless or ignorant hands2 one takes a bucket of it1 and1 if for large cabbage1 drops as much as he can readily close in his shut hand1 where each hill is to be2 if for small sorts1 then about half that quantity1 spreading it over a circle about a foot in diameter2 the second man follows with a pronged hoe1 or better yet1 a six-tined fork1 with which he works the guano well into the soil1 first turning it three or four inches under the surface1 and then stirring the soil very thoroughly with the hoe or fork4 ,unless the guano 7and this is also true of most fertilizers7 is faithfully mixed up with the soil1 the seed will not vegetate4 ,give the second man about an hour the start1 and then let the third man follow with the seed4 ,of other fertilizers1 ,i use about half as much again as of guano to each hill1 and of hen manure a heaping handful1 after it has been finely broken up1 and1 if moist1 slightly mixed with dry earth4 ,when salt is used1 it should not be depended on exclusively1 but be used in connection with other manures1 at the rate of from ten to fifteen bushels to the acre1 applied broadcast over the ground1 or thoroughly mixed with the manure before that is applied2 if dissolved in the manure1 better yet4 ,salt itself is not a manure4 ,its principal office is to change other materials into plant food4 ,fish and glue waste are exceedingly powerful manures1 very rich in ammonia1 and1 if used the first season1 they should be in compost4 ,it is best to handle fish waste1 such as heads1 entrails1 backbones1 and liver waste1 precisely like night soil4 ,porgy cheese1 or chum1 the refuse1 after pressing out the oil from menhaden and halibut heads1 and sometimes sold extensively for manure1 is best prepared for use by composting it with muck or loam1 layer with layer1 at the rate of a barrel to every foot and a half1 cord measure1 of soil4 ,as soon as it shows some heat1 turn it1 and repeat the process1 two or three times1 until it is well decomposed1 when apply4 ,another excellent way to use fish waste is to compost it with barn manure1 in the open fields4 ,it will be best to have six inches of soil under the heap1 and not layer the fish with the lower half of the manure1 for it strikes down4 ,glue waste is a very coarse1 lumpy manure1 and requires a great deal of severe manipulation1 if it is to be applied the first season4 ,a better way is to compost it with soil1 layer with layer1 having each layer about a foot in thickness1 and so allow it to remain over until the next season1 before using4 ,this will decompose most of the straw1 and break down the hard1 tough lumps4 ,in applying this to the crop1 most of it had better be used broadcast1 as it is apt1 at best1 to be rather too coarse and concentrated to be used liberally directly in the hill4 ,slaughter-house manure should be treated much like glue manure4 ,mr4 ,proctor1 of ,beverly1 has raised cabbage successfully on strong clay soil1 by spreading a compost of muck containing fish waste1 in which the fish is well decomposed1 at the rate of two tons of the fish to an acre of land1 after plowing1 and then1 having made his furrows at the right distance apart1 harrowing the land thoroughly crossways with the furrows4 ,the result was1 besides mixing the manure thoroughly with the soil1 to land an extra proportion of it in the furrows1 which was equivalent to manuring in the drill4 ,cabbage can be raised on fertilizers alone4 ,i have raised some crops in this way2 but have been led to plow in from four to six cords of good manure to the acre1 and then use from five hundred to a thousand pounds of some good fertilizer in the hill4 ,the reason ,i prefer to use a portion of the cabbage food in the form of manure1 is1 that ,i have noticed that when the attempt is made to raise the larger drumhead varieties on fertilizers only1 the cabbages1 just as the heads are well formed1 are apt to come nearly to a standstill4 ,i explain this on the supposition that they exhaust most of the fertilizer1 or some one of the ingredients that enter into it1 during the earlier stage of growth2 perhaps from the fact that the food is in so easily digestible condition1 they use an over share of it1 and the fact that those fed on fertilizers only1 tend to grow longer stumped than usual1 appears to give weight to this opinion4 ,though any good fertilizer is good for cabbage1 yet ,i prefer those compounded on the basis of an analysis of the composition of the plants2 they should contain the three ingredients1 nitrogen1 potash1 and phosphoric acid1 in the proportion of six1 seven1 five1 taking them in the order in which ,i have written them4 ,,making ,,the ,,hills ,,and ,,planting ,,the ,,seed4 ,the idea is quite prevalent that cabbages will not head up well except the plants are started in beds1 and then transplanted into the hills where they are to mature4 ,this is an error1 so far as it applies to the ,northern ,states1--the largest and most experienced cultivators of cabbage in ,new ,england usually dropping the seed directly where the plant is to stand1 unless they are first started under glass1 or the piece of land to be planted cannot be prepared in season to enable the farmer to put his seed directly in the hill and yet give the cabbage time sufficient to mature4 ,where the climate is unpropitious1 or the quantity of manure applied is insufficient1 it is possible that transplanting may promote heading4 ,the advantages of planting directly in the hill1 are a saving of time1 avoiding the risks incidental to transplanting1 and having all the piece start alike2 for1 when transplanted1 many die and have to be replaced1 while some hesitate much longer than others before starting1 thus making a want of uniformity in the maturing of the crop4 ,there is1 also1 this advantage1 there being several plants in each hill1 the cut-worm has to depredate pretty severely before he really injures the piece2 again1 should the seed not vegetate in any of the hills1 every farmer will appreciate the advantage of having healthy plants growing so near at hand that they can be transferred to the vacant spaces with their roots so undisturbed that their growth is hardly checked4 ,in addition to the labor of transplanting saved by this plan1 the great check that plants always receive when so treated is prevented1 and also the extra risks that occur should a season of drouth follow4 ,it is the belief of some farmers1 that plants growing where the seed was planted are less liable to be destroyed by the cut-worm than those that have been transplanted4 ,when planning to raise late cabbage on upland1 ,i sow a portion of the seed on a moist spot1 or1 in case a portion of the land is moist1 ,i plant the hills on such land with an extra quantity of seed1 that ,i may have enough plants for the whole piece1 should the weather prove to be too dry for the seed to vegetate on the dryer portions of it4 ,it is wise to sow these extra plants about a week earlier1 for they will be put back about a week by transplanting them4 ,some of our best farmers drill their seed in with a sowing machine1 such as is used for onions1 carrots1 and other vegetable crops4 ,this is a very expeditious way1 and has the advantage of leaving the plants in rows instead of bunches1 as in the hill system1 and thus enables the hoe to do most of the work of thinning4 ,it has also this advantage3 each plant being by itself can be left much longer before thinning1 and yet not grow long in the stump1 thus making it available for transplanting1 or for sale in the market1 for a longer period4 ,the usual way of preparing the hills is to strike out furrows with a small1 one-horse plough1 as far apart as the rows are to be4 ,as it is very important that the rows should be as straight as practicable1 it is a good plan to run back once in each furrow1 particularly on sod land where the plough will be apt to catch in the turf and jump out of line4 ,a manure team follows1 containing the dressing for the hills1 which has previously been pitched over and beaten up until all the ingredients are fine and well mixed4 ,this team is so driven1 if possible1 as to avoid running in the furrows4 ,two or three hands follow with forks or shovels1 pitching the manure into the furrows at the distance apart that has been determined on for the hills4 ,how far apart these are to be will depend on the varieties1 from eighteen inches to four feet4 ,on land that has been very highly manured for a series of years1 cabbage can be planted nearer than on land that has been under the plow but a few years4 ,for the distance apart for different varieties see farther on4 ,the manure is levelled with hoes1 a little soil is drawn over it1 and a slight stamp with the back of the hoe is given to level this soil1 and1 at the same time1 to mark the hill4 ,the planter follows with seed in a tin box1 or any small vessel having a broad bottom1 and taking a small pinch between the thumb and forefinger he gives a slight scratch with the remaining fingers of the same hand1 and dropping in about half a dozen seed covers them half an inch deep with a sweep of the hand1 and packs the earth by a gentle pat with the open palm to keep the moisture in the ground and thus promote the vegetation of the seed4 ,with care a quarter of a pound of seed will plant an acre1 when dropped directly in the hills2 but half a pound is the common allowance1 as there is usually some waste from spilling1 while most laborers plant with a free hand4 ,the soil over the hills being very light and porous1 careless hands are apt to drop the seed too deep4 ,care should be taken not to drop the seed all in one spot1 but to scatter them over a surface of two or three inches square1 that each plant may have room to develop without crowding its neighbors4 ,if the seed is planted in a line instead of in a mass the plants can be left longer before the final thinning without danger of growing tall and weak4 ,if the seed is to be drilled in1 it will be necessary to scatter the manure all along the furrows1 then cover with a plough1 roughly leveling with a rake4 ,should the compost applied to the hills be very concentrated1 it will be apt to produce stump foot2 it will1 therefore1 be safest in such cases to hollow out the middle with the corner of the hoe1 or draw the hoe through and fill in with earth1 that the roots of the young plants may not come in direct contact with the compost as soon as they begin to push4 ,when guano or phosphates are used in the hills it will be well to mark out the rows with a plough1 and then1 where each hill is to be1 fill in the soil level to the surface with a hoe1 before applying them4 ,i have1 in a previous paragraph1 given full instructions how to apply these4 ,hen manure1 if moist1 should be broken up very fine1 and be mixed with some dry earth to prevent it from again lumping together1 and the mixture applied in sufficient quantity to make an equivalent of a heaping handful of pure hen manure to each hill4 ,any liquid manure is excellent for the cabbage crop2 but it should be well diluted1 or it will be likely to produce stump foot4 ,cabbage seed of almost all varieties are nearly round in form1 but are not so spherical as turnip seed4 ,i note1 however1 that seed of the ,savoys are nearly oval4 ,in color they are light brown when first gathered1 but gradually turn dark brown if not gathered too early4 ,an ounce contains nearly ten thousand seed1 but should not be relied upon for many over two thousand good plants1 and these are available for about as many hills only when raised in beds and transplanted2 when dropped directly in the hills it will take not far from eight ounces of the larger sorts to plant an acre1 and of the smaller cabbage rather more than this4 ,cabbage seed when well cured and kept in close bags will retain their vitality four or five years2 old gardeners prefer seed of all the cabbage family two or three years old4 ,when the plan is to raise the young plants in beds to be transplanted1 the ground selected for the beds should be of rich soil2 this should be very thoroughly dug1 and the surface worked and raked very fine1 every stone and lump of earth being removed4 ,now sprinkle the seed evenly over the bed and gently rake in just under the surface1 compacting the soil by pressure with a board4 ,as soon as the young plants appear1 sprinkle them with air-slaked lime4 ,transplant when three or four inches high1 being very careful not to let the plants get tall and weak4 ,for late cabbage1 in the latitude of ,boston1 to have cabbages ready for market about the first of ,november1 the ,marblehead ,mammoth should be planted the #bjth of ,may1 other late drumheads from ,june #ast to ,june #abth1 provided the plants are not to be transplanted2 otherwise a week earlier4 ,in those localities where the growing season is later1 the seed should be planted proportionally later4 ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,young ,,plants4 ,in four or five days1 if the weather is propitious1 the young plants will begin to break ground1 presenting at the surface two leaves1 which together make nearly a square1 like the first leaves of turnips or radishes4 ,as soon as the third leaf is developed1 go over the piece1 and boldly thin out the plants4 ,wherever they are very thick1 pull a mass of them with the fingers and thumb1 being careful to fill up the hole made with fine earth4 ,after the fourth leaf is developed1 go over the piece again and thin still more2 you need specially to guard against a slender1 weak growth1 which will happen when the plants are too crowded4 ,in thinning1 leave the short-stumped plants1 and leave them as far apart in the hill as possible1 that they may not shade each other1 or so interfere in growing as to make long stumps4 ,if there is any market for young plants1 thousands can be sold from an acre when the seed are planted in the hill2 but in doing this bear in mind that your principal object is to raise cabbages1 and to succeed in this the young plants must on no account be allowed to stand so long together in the hills as to crowd each other1 making a tall1 weak1 slender growth1--getting long-legged1 as the farmers call it4 ,if the manure in any of the hills is too strong1 the fact will be known by its effects on the plants1 which will be checked in their growth1 and be of a darker green color than the healthy plants4 ,gently pull away the earth from the roots of such with the fingers1 and draw around fresh earth2 or1 what is as well or better1 transplant a healthy plant just on the edge of the hill4 ,when the plants are finger high they are of a good size to transplant into such hills as have missed1 or to market4 ,when transplanting1 select a rainy day1 if possible1 and do not begin until sufficient rain has fallen to moisten the earth around the roots1 which will make it more likely to adhere to them when taken up4 ,take up the young plants by running the finger or a trowel under them2 put these into a flat basket or box1 and in transplanting set them to the same depth they originally grew1 pressing the earth a little about the roots4 ,if it is necessary to do the transplanting in a dry spell1 as usually happens1 select the latter part of the afternoon1 if practicable1 and1 making holes with a dibble1 or any pointed stick an inch and a half in diameter1 fill these holes1 a score or more at a time1 with water2 and as soon as the water is about soaked away1 beginning with the hole first filled1 set out your plants4 ,the evaporation of the moisture below the roots will keep them moist until they get a hold4 ,cabbage plants have great tenacity of life1 and will rally and grow when they appear to be dead2 the leaves may all die1 and dry up like hay1 but if the stump stands erect and the unfolded leaf at the top of the stump is alive1 the plant will usually survive4 ,when the plants are quite large1 they may be used successfully by cutting or breaking off the larger leaves4 ,some advocate wilting the plants before transplanting1 piling them in the cellar a few days before setting them out1 to toughen them and get a new setting of fine roots2 others challenge their vigor by making it a rule to do all transplanting under the heat of mid-day4 ,i think there is not much of reason in this latter course4 ,the young plants can be set out almost as fast as a man can walk1 by holding the roots close to one side of the hole made by the dibble1 and at the same moment pressing earth against them with the other hand4 ,,protecting ,,the ,,plants ,,from ,,their ,,enemies4 ,as soon as they have broken through the soil1 an enemy awaits them in the small black insect commonly known as the cabbage or turnip fly1 beetle1 or flea4 ,this insect1 though so small as to appear to the eye as a black dot1 is very voracious and surprisingly active4 ,he apparently feeds on the juice of the young plant1 perforating it with small holes the size of a pin point4 ,he is so active when disturbed that his motions cannot be followed by the eye1 and his sense of danger is so keen that only by cautiously approaching the plant can he be seen at all4 ,the delay of a single day in protecting the young plants from his ravages will sometimes be the destruction of nearly the entire piece4 ,wood ashes and air-slaked lime1 sprinkled upon the plants while the leaves are moist from either rain or dew1 afford almost complete protection4 ,the lime or ashes should be applied as soon as the plant can be seen1 for then1 when they are in their tenderest condition1 the fly is most destructive4 ,i am not certain that the alkaline nature of these affords the protection1 or whether a mere covering by common dust might not answer equally well4 ,should the covering be washed off by rain1 apply it anew immediately after the rain has ceased1 and so continue to keep the young plants covered until the third or fourth leaves are developed when they will have become too tough to serve as food for this insect enemy4 ,a new enemy much dreaded by all cabbage raisers will begin to make his appearance about the time the flea disappears1 known as the cut-worm4 ,this worm is of a dusky brown color1 with a dark colored head1 and varies in size up to about two inches in length4 ,he burrows in the ground just below the surface1 is slow of motion1 and does his mischievous work at night1 gnawing off the young plants close at the surface of the ground4 ,this enemy is hard to battle with4 ,if the patch be small1 these worms can be scratched out of their hiding places by pulling the earth carefully away the following morning for a few inches around the stump of the plant destroyed1 when the rascals will usually be found half coiled together4 ,dropping a little wood ashes around the plants close to the stumps is one of the best of remedies2 its alkaline properties burning his nose ,i presume4 ,a tunnel of paper put around the stump but not touching it1 and sunk just below the surface1 is recommended as efficacious2 and from the habits of the worm ,i should think it would prove so4 ,perpendicular holes four inches deep and an inch in diameter is said to catch and hold them as effectively as do the pit falls of ,africa the wild animals4 ,late planted cabbage will suffer little or none from this pest1 as he disappears about the middle of ,june4 ,some seasons they are remarkably numerous1 making it necessary to replant portions of the cabbage patch several times over4 ,i have heard of as many as twenty being dug at different times the same season out of one cabbage hill4 ,the farmer who tilled that patch earned his dollars4 ,when the cabbage has a stump the size of a pipe stem it is beyond the destructive ravages of the cut-worm1 and should it escape stump foot has usually quite a period of growth free from the attacks of enemies4 ,should the season prove unpropitious and the plant be checked in its growth1 it will be apt to become lousy1 as the farmers term it1 referring to its condition when attacked by a small green insect known as aphid1 which preys upon it in myriads2 when this is the case the leaves lose their bright green1 turn of a bluish cast1 the leaf stocks lose somewhat of their supporting powers1 the leaves curl up into irregular shapes1 and the lower layer turns black and drops off1 while the ground under the plant appears covered with the casts or bodies of the insects as with a white powder4 ,when in this condition the plants are in a very bad way4 ,considering the circumstances under which this insect appears1 usually in a very dry season1 ,i hold that it is rather the product than the cause of disease1 as with the bark louse on our apple-trees2 as a remedy ,i advocate sprinkling the plants with air-slaked lime1 watering1 if possible1 and a frequent and thorough stirring of the soil with the cultivator and hoe4 ,the better the opportunities the cabbage have to develop themselves through high manuring1 sufficient moisture1 good drainage1 and thorough cultivation1 the less liable they are to be lousy4 ,as the season advances there will sometimes be found patches eaten out of the leaves1 leaving nothing but the skeleton of leaf veins2 an examination will show a band of caterpillars of a light green color at work1 who feed in a compact mass1 oftentimes a square1 with as much regularity as though under the best of military discipline4 ,the readiest way to dispose of them is to break off the leaf and crush them under foot4 ,the common large red caterpillar occasionally preys on the plants1 eating large holes in the leaves1 especially about the head4 ,when the cabbage plot is bordered by grass land1 in seasons when grasshoppers are plenty1 they will frequently destroy the outer rows1 puncturing the leaves with small holes1 and feeding on them until little besides their skeletons remain4 ,in isolated locations rabbits and other vegetable feeders sometimes commit depredations4 ,the snare and the shot-gun are the remedy for these4 ,other insects that prey upon the cabbage tribe1 in their caterpillar state1 are the cabbage moth1 white-line1 brown-eyed moth1 large white garden butterfly1 white and green veined butterfly4 ,all of these produce caterpillars1 which can be destroyed either by application of air-slaked lime1 or by removing the leaves infested and crushing the intruders under foot4 ,the cabbage-fly1 father-long-legs1 the millipedes1 the blue cabbage-fly1 brassy cabbage-flea1 and two or three other insect enemies are mentioned by ,mc,intosh as infesting the cabbage fields of ,england2 also three species of fungi known as white rust1 mildew1 and cylindrosporium concentricum2 these last are destroyed by the sprinkling of air-slaked lime on the leaves4 ,in this country1 along the sea coast of the northern section1 in open-ground cultivation1 there is comparatively but little injury done by these marauders1 which are the cause of so much annoyance and loss to our ,english cousins4 ,,the ,,green ,,worm4 ,a new and troublesome enemy to the cabbage tribe which has made its appearance within a few years1 and spread rapidly over a large section of the country1 is a green worm1 ,anthomia brassic4 ,this pest infests the cabbage tribe at all stages of its growth2 it is believed to have been introduced into this country from ,europe1 by the way of ,canada1 where it was probably brought in a lot of cabbage4 ,it is the caterpillar of a white butterfly with black spots on its wings4 ,in ,europe1 this butterfly is preyed on by two or more parasites1 which keep it somewhat in check2 but its remarkably rapid increase in this country1 causing a wail of lamentation to rise in a single season from the cabbage growers over areas of tens of thousands of square miles1 proved that when it first appeared it had reached this country without its attendant parasites4 ,besides this green worm1 there are found in ,europe four varieties of caterpillar variously marked1 the caterpillars from all of which make great havoc among the cabbage tribe4 ,the most effective destroyer of this1 and about every other insect pest1 is what is known as the ,kerosene ,emulsion4 ,this is made by churning common kerosene with milk or soap until it is diffused through the liquid4 ,take one quart of kerosene oil and pour it into a pint of hot water in which an ounce of common soap has been dissolved2 churn this briskly while hot 7a force pump is excellent for this71 and1 when well mixed1 which will be in a few minutes1 it will be of a creamy consistency2 mix one quart to ten or twelve of cold water1 and spray or sprinkle it over the plants with a force-pump syringe or a whisk broom4 ,another remedy is pyrethrum4 ,use that which is fresh2 either blowing it on in a dry state with a bellows1 wherever the worm appears1 or using it diluted1 at the rate of a tablespoonful to two gallons of water2 applying as with the kerosene emulsion4 ,mr4 ,a4 ,s4 ,fuller1 who is good authority on garden matters1 succeeds by applying tar-water4 ,place a couple of quarts of coal tar in a barrel and fill with water2 let it stand forty-eight hours1 then dip off1 and apply with a watering-pot1 or syringe4 ,chickens allowed to run freely among the growing plants1 the hen being confined in a movable coop1 if once attracted to them will fatten on them4 ,this remedy might answer very well for small plots4 ,large areas in cabbage1 in proportion to their size are1 as a rule1 far less injured by insect enemies than small patches4 ,the worm is of late years less troublesome in the ,north than formerly4 ,,club ,,or ,,stump ,,foot ,,and ,,maggot4 ,the great dread of every cabbage grower is a disease of the branching roots1 producing a bunchy1 gland-like enlargement1 known in different localities under the name of club foot1 stump foot1 underground head1 finger and thumb4 ,the result is a check in the ascent of the sap1 which causes a defective vitality4 ,there are two theories as to the origin of club foot2 one that it is a disease caused by poor soil1 bad cultivation1 and unsuitable manures2 the other that the injury is done by an insect enemy1 ,curculio contractus4 ,it is held by some that the maggots at the root are the progeny of the cabbage flea4 ,this ,i doubt4 ,this insect1 piercing the skin of the root1 deposits its eggs in the holes1 lives during a time on the sap of the plant1 and then escapes and buries itself for a time in the soil4 ,if the wart1 or gland-like excrescence1 is seen while transplanting1 throw all such plants away1 unless your supply is short2 in such case1 carefully trim off all the diseased portions with a sharp knife4 ,if the disease is in the growing crop1 it will be made evident by the drooping of the leaves under the mid-day sun1 leaves of diseased plants drooping more than those of healthy ones1 while they will usually have a bluer cast4 ,should this disease show itself1 set the cultivator going immediately1 and follow with the hoe1 drawing up fresh earth around the plants1 which will encourage them to form new fibrous roots2 should they do this freely1 the plants will be saved1 as the attacks of the insect are usually confined to the coarse1 branching roots4 ,should the disease prevail as late as when the plants have reached half their growth1 the chances are decidedly against raising a paying crop4 ,when the land planted is too wet1 or the manure in the hill is too strong1 this dreaded disease is liable to be found on any soil2 but it is most likely to manifest itself on soils that have been previously cropped with cabbage1 turnip1 or some other member of the ,brassica family4 ,farmers find that1 as a rule1 it is not safe to follow cabbage1 ruta baga1 or any of the ,brassica family1 with cabbage1 unless three or four years have intervened between the crops2 and ,i have known an instance in growing the ,marblehead ,mammoth1 where1 though five years had intervened1 that portion of the piece occupied by the previous crop could be distinctly marked off by the presence of club-foot4 ,singular as it may appear1 old gardens are an exception to this rule4 ,while it is next to impossible to raise1 in old gardens1 a fair turnip1 free from club-foot1 cabbages may be raised year after year on the same soil with impunity1 or1 at least1 with but trifling injury from that disease4 ,this seems to prove1 contrary to ,english authority1 that club-foot in the turnip tribe is the effect of a different cause from the same disease in the cabbage family4 ,there is another position taken by ,stephens in his ,book of the ,farm1 which facts seem to disprove4 ,he puts forth the theory that all such diseases arise from poverty of the soil1 either from want of manure when the soil is naturally poor1 or rendered effete by over-cropping4 ,there is a farm on a neck of land belonging to this town 7,marblehead1 ,mass471 which has peculiar advantages for collecting sea kelp and sea moss1 and these manures are there used most liberally1 particularly in the cultivation of cabbage1 from eight to twelve cords of rotten kelp1 which is stronger than barn manure1 and more suitable food for cabbage1 being used to the acre4 ,a few years ago1 on a change of tenants1 the new incumbent heavily manured a piece for cabbage1 and planted it2 but1 as the season advanced1 stump-foot developed in every cabbage on one side of the piece1 while all the remainder were healthy4 ,upon inquiry1 he learned that1 by mistake1 he had overlapped the cabbage plot of last season just so far as the stump-foot extended4 ,in this instance1 it could not have been that the cabbage suffered for want of food2 for1 not only was the piece heavily manured that year and the year previous1 but it had been liberally manured through a series of years1 and1 to a large extent1 with the manure which1 of all others1 the cabbage tribe delight in1 rotten kelp and sea mosses4 ,i have known other instances where soil1 naturally quite strong1 and kept heavily manured for a series of years1 has shown stump-foot when cabbage were planted1 with intervals of two and three years between4 ,my theory is1 that the mere presence of the cabbage causes stump-foot on succeeding crops grown on the same soil4 ,this is proved by the fact that where a piece of land in grass1 close adjoining a piece of growing cabbage1 had been used for stripping them for market1 when this was broken up the next season and planted to cabbage1 stump-foot appeared only on that portion where the waste leaves fell the year previous4 ,i have another instance to the same point1 told me by an observing farmer1 that1 on a piece of sod land1 on which he ran his cultivator the year previous1 when turning his horse every time he had cultivated a row1 he had stump-footed cabbage the next season just as far as that cultivator went1 dragging1 of course1 a few leaves and a little earth from the cabbage piece with it4 ,still1 though the mere presence of cabbage causes stump-foot1 it is a fact1 that1 under certain conditions1 cabbage can be grown on the same piece of land year after year successfully1 with but very little trouble from stump-foot4 ,in this town 7,marblehead71 though1 as ,i have stated1 we cannot1 on our farms1 follow cabbage with cabbage1 even with the highest of manuring and cultivation1 yet in the gardens of the town1 on the same kind of soil 7and our soil is green stone and syenite1 not naturally containing lime71 there are instances where cabbage has been successfully followed by cabbage1 on the same spot1 for a quarter of a century and more4 ,in the garden of an aged citizen of this town1 cabbages have been raised on the same spot of land for over half a century4 ,the cause of stump foot cannot1 therefore1 be found in the poverty of the soil1 either from want of manure or its having been rendered effete from over cropping4 ,it is evident that by long cultivation soils gradually have diffused through them something that proves inimical to the disease that produces stump foot4 ,i will suggest as probable that the protection is afforded by the presence of some alkali that old gardens are constantly acquiring through house waste which is always finding its way there1 particularly the slops from the sink1 which abound in potash4 ,this is rendered further probable from the fact given by ,mr4 ,peter ,henderson1 that1 on soils in this vicinity1 naturally abounding in lime1 cabbage can be raised year following year with almost immunity from stump foot4 ,he ascribes this to the effects of lime in the soil derived from marine shells1 and recommends that lime from bones be used to secure the same protection2 but the lime that enters into the composition of marine shells is for the most part carbonate of lime1 whereas the greater portion of that which enters into the composition of bones is phosphate of lime4 ,common air-slaked lime is almost pure carbonate of lime1 and hence comes nearer to the composition of marine shells than lime from bones1 and1 being much cheaper1 would appear to be preferable4 ,an able farmer told me that by using wood ashes liberally he could follow with cabbage the next season on the same piece4 ,one experiment of my own in this direction did not prove successful1 where ashes at the rate of two hundred bushels to the acre were used2 and ,i have an impression that ,i have read of a like want of success after quite liberal applications of lime4 ,in a more recent experiment1 on a gravelly loam on one of my seed farms in ,middleton1 ,mass41 where two hundred bushels of unleached ashes were used per acre1 three-fourths broadcast1 ,i have had complete success1 raising as good a crop as ,i ever grew the second year on the same land1 without a single stump foot on half an acre4 ,still1 it remains evident1 ,i think1 that nature prevents stump foot by the diffusing of alkalies through the soil1 and ,i mistrust that the reason why we sometimes fail with the same remedies is that we have them mixed1 rather than intimately combined1 with the particles of soil4 ,the roots of young plants are sometimes attacked by a maggot1 though there is no club root present4 ,a remedy for this is said to be in the burying of a small piece of bi-sulphide of carbon within a few inches of the diseased plant4 ,i have never tried it1 but know that there is no better insecticide4 ,as ,i have stated under another head1 an attack of club foot is almost sure to follow the use of pure hog manure1 whether it be used broadcast or in the hill4 ,about ten years ago ,i ventured to use hog manure nearly pure1 spread broadcast and ploughed in4 ,stump foot soon showed itself4 ,i cultivated and hoed the cabbage thoroughly2 then1 as they still appeared sickly1 ,i had the entire piece thoroughly dug over with a six-tined fork1 pushing it as deep or deeper into the soil than the plough had gone1 to bring up the manure to the surface2 but all was of no use2 ,i lost the entire crop4 ,yet1 on another occasion1 stable manure on which hogs had been kept at the rate of two hogs to each animal1 gave me one of the finest lots of cabbage ,i ever raised4 ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,growing ,,crop4 ,as soon as the young plants are large enough to be seen with the naked eye1 in with the cultivator and go and return once in each row1 being careful not to have any lumps of earth cover the plants4 ,follow the cultivator immediately with the hoe1 loosening the soil about the hills4 ,the old rule with farmers is to cultivate and hoe cabbage three times during their growth1 and it is a rule that works very well where the crop is in good growing condition2 but if the manure is deficient1 the soil bakes1 or the plants show signs of disease1 then cultivate and hoe once or twice extra4 ,hoe cabbage when wet1 is another farmer's axiom4 ,in a small garden patch the soil may be stirred among the plants as often as may be convenient3 it can do no harm2 cabbages relish tending1 though it is not necessary to do this every day1 as one enthusiastic cultivator evidently thought1 who declared that1 by hoeing his cabbages every morning1 he had succeeded in raising capital heads4 ,if a season of drouth occurs when the cabbages have begun to head1 the heads will harden prematurely2 and then should a heavy rain fall1 they will start to make a new growth1 and the consequence will be many of them will split4 ,split or bursted cabbage are a source of great loss to the farmer1 and this should be carefully guarded against by going frequently over the piece when the heads are setting1 and starting every cabbage that appears to be about mature4 ,a stout-pronged potato hoe applied just under the leaves1 and a pull given sufficient to start the roots on one side1 will accomplish what is needed4 ,if cabbage that have once been started seem still inclined to burst1 start the roots on the other side4 ,instead of a hoe they may be pushed over with the foot1 or with the hand4 ,frequently1 heads that are thus started will grow to double the size they had attained when about to burst4 ,there is a marked difference in this habit in different varieties of cabbage4 ,i find that the ,hard-heading is less inclined to burst its head than any of the kinds ,i raise4 ,,marketing ,,the ,,crop4 ,when preparing for market cabbages that have been kept over winter1 particularly if they are marketed late in the season1 the edges of the leaves of some of the heads will be found to be more or less decayed2 do not strip such leaves off1 but with a sharp knife cut clean off the decayed edges4 ,the earlier the variety the sooner it needs to be marketed1 for1 as a rule1 cabbages push their shoots in the spring in the order of their earliness4 ,if they have not been sufficiently protected from the cold1 the stumps will often rot off close to the head1 and sometimes the rot will include the part of the stump that enters the head4 ,if the watery-looking portion can be cut clean out1 the head is salable2 otherwise it will be apt to have an unpleasant flavor when cooked4 ,as a rule1 cabbages for marketing should be trimmed into as compact a form as possible2 the heads should be cut off close to the stump1 leaving two or three spare leaves to protect them4 ,they may be brought out of the piece in bushel baskets1 and be piled on the wagon as high as a hay stack1 being kept in place by a stout canvas sheet tied closely down4 ,in the markets of ,boston1 in the fall of the year1 they are usually sold at a price agreed upon by the hundred head2 this will vary not only with the size and quality of the cabbage1 but with the season1 the crop1 and the quality in market on that particular day4 ,within a few years ,i have known the range of price for the ,stone ,mason or ,fottler cabbage1 equal in size and quality1 to be from #c to #ag per hundred2 for the ,marblehead ,mammoth from #f to #be per hundred4 ,cabbages brought to market in the spring are usually sold by weight or by the barrel1 at from #a to #d per hundred pounds4 ,the earliest cabbages carried to market sometimes bring extraordinary prices2 and this has created a keen competition among market gardeners1 each striving to produce the earliest1 a difference of a week in marketing oftentimes making a difference of one half in the profits of the crop4 ,capt4 ,wyman1 who controlled the ,early ,wyman cabbage for several years1 sold some seasons thirty thousand heads if my memory serves me1 at pretty much his own price4 ,as a rule1 it is the very early and the very late cabbages that sell most profitably4 ,should the market for very late cabbages prove a poor one1 the farmer is not compelled to sell them1 no matter at what sacrifice1 as would be the case a month earlier2 he can pit them1 and so keep them over to the early spring market which is almost always a profitable one4 ,in marketing in spring it should be the aim to make sale before the crops of spring greens become plenty1 as these replace the cabbage on many tables4 ,by starting cabbage in hot beds a crop of celery or squashes may follow them the same season4 ,,keeping ,,cabbages ,,through ,,the ,,winter4 ,in the comparatively mild climate of ,england1 where there are but few days in the winter months that the ground remains frozen to any depth1 the hardy cabbage grows all seasons of the year1 and turnips left during winter standing in the ground are fed to sheep by yarding them over the different portions of the field4 ,with the same impunity1 in the southern portion of our own country1 the cabbages are left unprotected during the winter months2 and1 in the warmer portions of the ,south they are principally a winter crop4 ,as we advance farther ,north1 we find that the degree of protection needed is afforded by running the plough along each side of the rows1 turning the earth against them1 and dropping a little litter on top of the heads4 ,as we advance still farther northward1 we find sufficient protection given by but little more than a rough roof of boards thrown over the heads1 after removing the cabbages to a sheltered spot and setting them in the ground as near together as they will stand without being in contact1 with the tops of the heads just level with the surface4 ,in the latitude of central ,new ,england1 cabbages are not secure from injury from frost with less than a foot of earth thrown over the heads4 ,in mild winters a covering of half that depth will be sufficient2 but as we have no prophets to foretell our mild winters1 a foot of earth is safer than six inches4 ,where eel-grass can be procured along the sea coast1 or there is straw or coarse hay to spare1 the better plan is to cover with about six inches of earth1 and when this is frozen sufficiently hard to bear a man's weight 7which is usually about ,thanksgiving time71 to scatter over it the eel-grass1 forest leaves1 straw1 or coarse hay1 to the depth of another six inches4 ,eel-grass1 which grows on the sandy flats under the ocean along the coast1 is preferred to any other covering as it lays light and keeps in dead air which is a non-conductor of heat4 ,forest leaves are next in value2 but snow and water are apt to get among these and freezing solid destroy most of their protecting value4 ,when ,i use forest leaves1 ,i cover them with coarse hay1 and add branches of trees to prevent its being blown away4 ,in keeping cabbages through the winter1 three general facts should be borne in mind1 viz43 that repeated freezing and thawing will cause them to rot2 that excessive moisture or warmth will also cause rot2 while a dry air1 such as is found in most cellars1 will abstract moisture from the leaves1 injure the flavor of the cabbage1 and cause some of the heads to wilt1 and the harder heads to waste4 ,in the ,middle ,states we have mostly to fear the wet of winter1 and the plan for keeping for that section should1 therefore1 have particularly in view protection from moisture1 while in the ,northern ,states we have to fear the cold of winter1 and1 consequently1 our plan must there have specially in view protection from cold4 ,when storing for winter1 select a dry day1 if possible1 sufficiently long after rainy weather to have the leaves free of water1--otherwise they will spout it on to you1 and make you the wettest and muddiest scarecrow ever seen off a farm1--then strip all the outer leaves from the head but the two last rows1 which are needed to protect it4 ,this may be readily done by drawing in these two rows toward the head with the left hand1 while a blow is struck against the remaining leaves with the fist of the right hand4 ,next pull up the cabbages1 which1 if they are of the largest varieties1 may be expeditiously done by a potato hoe4 ,if they are not intended for seed purposes1 stand the heads down and stumps up until the earth on the roots is somewhat dry1 when it can be mostly removed by sharp blows against the stump given with a stout stick4 ,in loading do not bruise the heads4 ,select the place for keeping them in a dry1 level location1 and1 if in the ,north1 a southern exposure1 where no water can stand and there can be no wash4 ,to make the pit1 run the plough along from two to four furrows1 and throw out the soil with the shovel to the requisite depth1 which may be from six to ten inches2 now1 if the design is to roof over the pit1 the cabbages may be put in as thickly as they will stand2 if the heads are solid they may be either head up or stump up1 and two layers deep2 but if the heads are soft1 then heads up and one deep1 and not crowded very close1 that they may have room to make heads during the winter4 ,having excavated an area twelve by six feet1 set a couple of posts in the ground midway at each end1 projecting about five feet above the surface2 connect the two by a joist secured firmly to the top of each1 and against this1 extending to the ground just outside the pit1 lay slabs1 boards or poles1 and cover the roof that will be thus formed with six inches of straw or old hay1 and1 if in the ,north1 throw six or eight inches of earth over this4 ,leave one end open for entrance and to air the pit1 closing the other end with straw or hay4 ,in the ,north close both ends1 opening one of them occasionally in mild weather4 ,when cabbages are pitted on a large scale this system of roofing is too costly and too cumbersome4 ,a few thousand may be kept in a cool root cellar1 by putting one layer heads down1 and standing another layer heads up between these4 ,within a few years farmers in the vicinity of ,lowell1 ,mass41 have preserved their cabbages over winter1 on a large scale1 by a new method1 with results that have been very satisfactory4 ,they cut off that portion of the stump which contains the root2 strip off most of the outer leaves1 and then pile the cabbages in piles1 six or eight feet high1 in double rows1 with boards to keep them apart1 in cool cellars1 which are built half out of ground4 ,the temperature of these1 by the judicious opening and closing of windows1 is kept as nearly as possibly at the freezing point4 ,the common practice in the ,north1 when many thousands are to be stored for winter and spring sales1 is to select a southern exposure having the protection of a fence or wall1 if practicable1 and1 turning furrows with the plough1 throw out the earth with shovels1 to the depth of about six inches2 the cabbages1 stripped as before described1 are then stored closely together1 and straw or coarse hay is thrown over them to the depth of a foot or eighteen inches4 ,protected thus they are accessible for market at any time during the winter4 ,if the design is to keep them over till spring1 the covering may be first six inches of earth1 to be followed1 as cold increases1 with six inches of straw1 litter1 or eel-grass4 ,this latter is my own practice1 with the addition of leaving a ridge of earth between every three or four rows1 to act as a support and keep the cabbages from falling over4 ,i am1 also1 careful to bring the cabbages to the pit as soon as pulled1 with the earth among the roots as little disturbed as possible2 and1 should the roots appear to be dry1 to throw a little earth over them after the cabbages are set in the trench4 ,the few loose leaves remaining will prevent the earth from sifting down between the heads1 and the air chambers thus made answer a capital purpose in keeping out the cold1 as air is one of the best non-conductors of heat4 ,it is said that muck-soil1 when well drained1 is an excellent one to bury cabbage in1 as its antiseptic properties preserve them from decay4 ,if the object is to preserve the cabbage for market purposes only1 the heads may be buried in the same position in which they grew1 or they may be inverted1 the stump having no value in itself2 but if for seed purposes1 they must be buried head up1 as1 whatever injures the stump1 spoils the whole cabbage for that object4 ,i store between ten and fifty thousand heads annually to raise seed from1 and carry them through till planting time with a degree of success varying from a loss1 for seed purposes1 of from one-half to thirty-three per cent4 of the number buried2 but1 if handled early in spring1 many that would be worthless for seed purposes1 could be profitably marketed4 ,a few years since1 ,i buried a lot with a depth varying from one to four feet1 and found1 on uncovering them in the spring1 that all had kept1 and apparently equally well4 ,in the winter of #ahfh1 excessively cold weather came very early and unexpectedly1 before my cabbage plot had received its full covering of litter4 ,the consequence was1 the frost penetrated so deep that it froze through the heads into the stumps1 and1 when spring came1 a large portion of them came out spoiled for seed purposes1 though most of them sold readily in the market4 ,a cabbage is rendered worthless for seed when the frost strikes through the stump where it joins the head2 and though1 to the unpractised eye1 all may appear right1 yet1 if the heart of the stump has a water-soaked appearance on being cut into1 it will almost uniformly decay just below the head in the course of a few weeks after having been planted out4 ,if there is a probability that the stumps have been frozen through1 examine the plot early1 and1 if it proves so1 sell the cabbages for eating purposes1 no matter how sound and handsome the heads look2 if you delay until time for planting out the cabbage for seed1 meanwhile much waste will occur4 ,i once lost heavily in ,marblehead ,mammoth cabbage by having them buried on a hill-side with a gentle slope4 ,in the course of the winter they fell over on their sides1 which let down the soil from above1 and1 closing the air-chambers between them1 brought the huge heads into a mass1 and the result was1 a large proportion of them rotted badly4 ,at another time1 ,i lost a whole plot by burying them in soil between ledges of rock1 which kept the ground very wet when spring opened2 the consequence was1 every cabbage rotted4 ,if the heads are frozen more than two or three leaves deep before they are pitted they will not come out so handsome in the spring2 but cabbages are very hardy1 and they readily rally from a little freezing1 either in the open ground or after they are buried1 though it is best1 when they are frozen in the open ground1 to let them remain there until the frost comes out before removing them1 if it can be done without too much risk of freezing still deeper1 as they handle better then1 for1 being tougher1 the leaves are not so easily broken4 ,if the soil is frozen to any depth before the cabbages are removed1 the roots will be likely to be injured in the pulling1 a matter of no consequence if the cabbages are intended for market1 but of some importance if they are for seed raising4 ,large cabbages are more easily pulled by giving them a little twist2 if for seed purposes1 this should be avoided1 as it injures the stump4 ,a small lot1 that are to be used within a month1 can be kept hung up by the stump in the cellar of a dwelling-house2 they will keep in this way until spring2 but the outer leaves will dry and turn yellow1 the heads shrink some in size1 and be apt to lose in quality4 ,some practise putting clean chopped straw in the bottom of a box or barrel1 wetting it1 and covering with heads trimmed ready for cooking1 adding again wet straw and a layer of heads1 so alternating until the barrel or box is filled1 after which it is headed up and kept in a cool place1 at1 or a little below1 the freezing point4 ,no doubt this is an excellent way to preserve a small lot1 as it has the two essentials to success1 keeping them cool and moist4 ,instead of burying them in an upright position1 after a deep furrow has been made the cabbages are sometimes laid on their sides two deep1 with their roots at the bottom of the furrow1 and covered with earth in this position4 ,where the winter climate is so mild that a shallow covering will be sufficient protection1 this method saves much labor4 ,,having ,,cabbage ,,make ,,heads ,,in ,,winter4 ,when a piece of drumhead has been planted very late 7sometimes they are planted on ground broken up after a crop of hay has been taken from it the same season71 there will be a per cent4 of the plants when the growing season is over that have not headed4 ,with care almost all of these can be made to head during the winter4 ,a few years ago ,i selected my seed heads from a large piece and then sold the first pick of what remained at ten cents a head1 the second at eight cents1 and so down until all were taken for which purchasers were willing to give one cent each4 ,of course1 after such a thorough selling out as this1 there was not much in the shape of a head left4 ,i now had what remained pulled up and carted away1 doubtful whether to feed them to the cows or to set them out to head up during winter4 ,as they were very healthy plants in the full vigor of growth1 having rudimentary heads just gathering in1 ,i determined to set them out4 ,i had a pit dug deep enough to bring the tops of the heads1 when the plants were stood upright as they grew1 just above the surface of the ground2 ,i then stood the cabbages in without breaking off any of the leaves1 keeping the roots well covered with earth1 having the plants far enough apart not to crowd each other very much1 though so near as to press somewhat together the two outer circles of leaves4 ,they were allowed to remain in this condition until it was cold enough to freeze the ground an inch in thickness1 when a covering of coarse hay was thrown over them a couple of inches thick1 and1 as the cold increased in intensity1 this covering was increased to ten or twelve inches in thickness1 the additions being made at two or three intervals4 ,in the spring ,i uncovered the lot1 and found that nearly every plant had headed up4 ,i sold the heads for four cents a pound2 and these refuse cabbages averaged me about ten cents a head1 which was the price my best heads brought me in the fall4 ,i have seen thousands of cabbages in one lot1 the refuse of several acres that had been planted on sod land broken up the same season a crop of hay had been taken from it1 made to head by this course1 and sold in the spring for #a4cj per barrel4 ,when there is a large lot of such cabbages the most economical way to plant them will be in furrows made by the plough4 ,most of the bedding used in covering them1 if it be as coarse as it ought to be to admit as much air as possible while it should not mat down on the cabbages1 will1 with care in drying1 be again available for covering another season1 or remain suitable for bedding purposes4 ,these winter-headed cabbages1 as they are called in the market1 are not so solid and have more shrinkage to them than those headed in the open ground2 hence they will not bear transportation as well1 neither will they keep as long when exposed to the air4 ,the effect of wintering cabbage by burying in the soil is to make them exceedingly tender for table use4 ,,varieties ,,of ,,cabbage4 ,if a piece of land is planted with seed grown from two heads of cabbage the product will bear a striking resemblance to the two parent cabbages1 with a third variety which will combine the characteristics of these two1 yet the resemblance will be somewhat modified at times by a little more manure1 a little higher culture1 a little better location1 and the addition of an individuality that particular vegetables occasionally take upon themselves which we designate by the word sport4 ,the sports when they occur are fixed and perpetuated with remarkable readiness in the cabbage family1 as is proved by a great number of varieties in cultivation1 which are the numerous progeny of one ancestor4 ,the catalogues of the ,english and ,french seedsmen contain long lists of varieties1 many of which 7and this is especially true of the early kinds7 are either the same variety under a different name or are different strains of the same variety produced by the careful selections of prominent market gardeners through a series of years4 ,every season ,i experiment with foreign and ,american varieties of cabbage to learn the characteristics of the different kinds1 their comparative earliness1 size1 shape1 and hardness of head1 length of stump1 and such other facts as would prove of value to market gardeners4 ,there is one fact that every careful experimenter soon learns1 that one season will not teach all that can be known relative to a variety1 and that a number of specimens of each kind must be raised to enable one to make a fair comparison4 ,it is amusing to read the dicta which appear in the agricultural press from those who have made but a single experiment with some vegetable2 they proclaim more after a single trial than a cautious experimenter would dare to declare after years spent in careful observation4 ,the year #ahfi ,i raised over sixty varieties of cabbage1 importing nearly complete suites of those advertised by the leading ,english and ,french seed houses1 and collecting the principal kinds raised in this country4 ,in the year #ahhh1 ,i grew eighty-five different varieties and strains of cabbages and cauliflowers4 ,i do not propose describing all these in this treatise or their comparative merits2 of some of them ,i have yet something to learn1 but ,i will endeavor to introduce with my description such notes as ,i think will prove of value to my fellow farmers and market gardeners4 ,i will here say in general of the class of early cabbages1 that most of them have elongated heads between ovoid and conical in form4 ,they appear to lack in this country the sweetness and tenderness that characterize some varieties of our drumhead1 and1 consequently1 in the ,north when the drumhead enters the market there is but a limited call for them4 ,it may be well here to note a fundamental distinction between the drumhead cabbage of ,england and those of this country4 ,in ,england the drumhead class are almost wholly raised to feed to stock4 ,i venture the conjecture that owing in part1 or principally1 to the fact ,european gardeners have never had the motive1 and1 consequently1 have never developed the full capacity of the drumhead as exampled by the fine varieties raised in this country4 ,the securing of sorts reliable for heading being with them a matter of secondary consideration1 seed is raised from stumps or any refuse heads that may be standing when spring comes round4 ,for this reason ,english drumhead cabbage seed is better suited to raise a mass of leaves than heads1 and always disappoints our ,american farmers who buy it because it is cheap with the expectation of raising cabbage for market4 ,english-grown drumhead cabbage seed is utterly worthless for use in this country except to raise greens or collards4 ,the following are foreign varieties that are accepted in this country as standards1 and for years have been more or less extensively cultivated3 ,,early ,,york1 ,,early ,,oxheart1 ,,early ,,winnigstadt1 ,,red ,,dutch1 ,,red ,,drumhead4 ,in my experience as a seed dealer1 the ,sugar ,loaf and ,oxheart are losing ground in the farming community1 the ,early ,jersey ,wakefield having1 to a large extent1 replaced them4 ,early ,york4 ,heads nearly ovoid1 rather soft1 with few waste leaves surrounding them1 which are of a bright green color4 ,reliable for heading4 ,stump rather short4 ,plant two feet by eighteen inches4 ,this cabbage has been cultivated in ,england over a hundred years4 ,,little ,,pixie with me is earlier than ,early ,york1 as reliable for heading1 heads much harder1 and is of better flavor2 the heads do not grow quite as large4 ,early ,oxheart4 ,heads nearly egg-shaped1 small1 hard1 few waste leaves1 stumps short4 ,a little later than ,early ,york4 ,have the rows two feet apart1 and the plants eighteen inches apart in the row4 ,early ,winnigstadt4 7,a ,german cabbage47 ,heads nearly conical in shape1 having usually a twist of leaf at the top2 larger than ,oxheart1 are harder than any of the early oblong heading cabbages2 stumps middling short4 ,matures about ten days later than ,early ,york4 ,the ,winnigstadt is remarkably reliable for heading1 being not excelled in this respect when the seed has been raised with care1 by any cabbage grown4 ,it is a capital sort for early market outside our large cities1 where the very early kinds are not so eagerly craved4 ,it is so reliable for heading1 that it will often make fine heads where other sorts fail2 and ,i would advise all who have not succeeded in their efforts to grow cabbage1 to try this before giving up their attempts4 ,it is raised by some for winter use1 and where the drumheads are not so successfully raised1 ,i would advise my farmer friends to try the ,winnigstadt1 as the heads are so hard that they keep without much waste4 ,have rows two feet apart1 and plant twenty inches to two feet apart in the rows4 ,red ,dutch4 ,heads nearly conical1 medium sized1 hard1 of a very deep red2 outer leaves numerous1 and not so red as the head1 being somewhat mixed with green2 stump rather long4 ,this cabbage is usually planted too late2 it requires nearly the whole season to mature4 ,it is used for pickling1 or cut up fine as a salad1 served with vinegar and pepper4 ,this is a very tender cabbage1 and1 were it not for its color1 would be an excellent sort to boil2 to those who have a mind to eat it with their eyes shut1 this objection will not apply4 ,red ,drumhead4 ,like the preceding1 with the exception that the heads grow round1 or nearly so1 are harder1 and of double the size4 ,it is very difficult to raise seed from this cabbage in this country4 ,i am acquainted with five trials1 made in as many different years1 two of which ,i made myself1 and all were nearly utter failures1 the yield1 when the hardest heads were selected1 being at about the rate of two great spoonfuls of seed from every twenty cabbages4 ,french seed-growers are more successful1 otherwise this seed would have to sell at a far higher figure in the market than any other sort4 ,the ,little ,pixie4 has much to recommend it1 in earliness1 quality1 reliability for heading1 and hardness of the head2 earlier than ,early ,york1 though somewhat smaller4 ,among those that deserve to be heartily welcomed and grow in favor1 are the ,,early ,,ulm ,,savoy 7for engraving and description of which see under head of ,savoy71 and the ,,st4 ,,dennis ,,drumhead1 a late1 short-stumped sort1 setting a large1 round1 very solid head1 as large1 but harder1 than ,premium ,flat ,dutch4 ,the leaves are of a bluish-green1 and thicker than those of most varieties of drumhead4 ,our brethren in ,canada think highly of this cabbage1 and if we want to try a new drumhead1 ,i will speak a good word for this one4 ,early ,schweinfurt1 or ,schweinfurt ,quintal1 is an excellent early drumhead for family use2 the heads range in size from ten to eighteen inches in diameter1 varying with the conditions of cultivation more than any other cabbage ,i am acquainted with4 ,they are flattish round1 weigh from three to nine pounds when well grown1 are very symmetrical in shape1 standing apart from the surrounding leaves4 ,they are not solid1 though they have the finished appearance that solidity gives2 they are remarkably tender1 as though blanched1 and of very fine flavor4 ,it is among the earliest of drumheads1 maturing at about the same time as the ,early ,winnigstadt4 ,as an early drumhead for the family garden1 it has no superior2 and where the market is near1 and does not insist that a cabbage head must be hard to be good1 it has proved a very profitable market sort4 ,the following are either already standard ,american varieties of cabbage1 or such as are likely soon to become so2 very possibly there are two or three other varieties or strains that deserve to be included in the list4 ,i give all that have proved to be first class in my locality3 ,,early ,,wakefield1 ,,early ,,wyman1 ,,early ,,summer1 ,,all ,,seasons1 ,,hard ,,heading1 ,,succession1 ,,warren1 ,,vandergaw1 ,,peerless1 ,,newark1 ,,flat ,,dutch1 ,,premium ,,flat ,,dutch1 ,,stone ,,mason1 ,,large ,,late ,,drumhead1 ,,marblehead ,,mammoth ,,drumhead1 ,,american ,,green ,,glazed1 ,,fottler',s ,,drumhead1 ,,bergen ,,drumhead1 ,,drumhead ,,savoy1 and ,,american ,,green ,,globe ,,savoy4 ,all of these varieties1 as ,i have previously stated1 are but improvements of foreign kinds2 but they are so far improved through years of careful selection and cultivation1 that1 as a rule1 they appear quite distinct from the originals when grown side by side with them1 and this distinction is more or less recognized1 in both ,english and ,american catalogues1 by the adjective ,american or ,english being added after varieties bearing the same name4 ,early ,wakefield1 sometimes called ,early ,jersey ,wakefield4 ,heads mostly nearly conical in shape but sometimes nearly round1 of good size for early1 very reliable for heading2 stumps short4 ,a very popular early cabbage in the markets of ,boston and ,new ,york4 ,plant two and a half feet by two feet4 ,there are two strains of this cabbage1 one a little later and larger than the other4 ,illustration ,illustration ,early ,wyman4 ,this cabbage is named after ,capt4 ,wyman1 of ,cambridge1 the originator4 ,like ,early ,wakefield the heads are usually somewhat conical1 but sometimes nearly round2 in structure they are compact4 ,in earliness it ranks about with the ,early ,wakefield1 and making heads of double the size1 it has a high value as an early cabbage4 ,capt4 ,wyman had entire control of this cabbage until within the past few years1 and1 consequently1 has held ,boston ,market in his own hands1 to the chagrin of his fellow market gardeners1 raising some seasons as many as thirty thousand heads4 ,have the rows from two to two and a half feet apart1 and the plants from twenty to twenty-four inches apart in the row4 ,crane's ,early is a cross between the ,wyman and ,wakefield1 intermediate in size and earliness4 ,illustration ,premium ,flat ,dutch4 ,large1 late variety2 heads either round or flat1 on the top 7varying with different strains72 rather hard2 color bluish green2 leaves around heads rather numerous2 towards the close of the season1 the edge of some of the exterior leaves and the top of the heads assume a purple cast4 ,the edges of the exterior leaves1 and of the two or three that make the outside of the head1 are quite ruffled1 so that when grown side by side with ,stone ,mason1 this distinction between the habit of growth of the two varieties is noticeable at quite a distance4 ,stumps short2 reliable for heading4 ,have the rows three feet apart1 and the plants from two and a half to three feet apart in the rows4 ,this cabbage is very widely cultivated1 and1 in many respects1 is an excellent sort to raise for late marketing4 ,there are several strains of it catalogued by different seedsmen under various names1 such as ,sure ,head1 c4 ,illustration ,stone ,mason4 ,an improvement on the ,mason1 which cabbage was selected by ,mr4 ,john ,mason of ,marblehead1 from a number of varieties of cabbage that came from a lot of seed purchased and planted as ,savoys4 ,mr4 ,john ,stone afterwards improved upon the ,mason cabbage1 by increasing the size of the heads4 ,different growers differ in their standard of a ,stone ,mason cabbage1 in earliness and lateness1 and in the size1 form1 and hardness of the head4 ,but all these varieties agree in the characteristics of being very reliable for heading1 in having heads which are large1 very hard1 very tender1 rich and sweet2 short stumps1 and few waste leaves4 ,the color of the leaves varies from a bluish green to a pea-green1 and the structure from nearly smooth to much blistered4 ,in their color and blistering some specimens have almost a ,savoy cast4 ,the heads of the best varieties of ,stone ,mason range in weight from six to twenty-five pounds1 the difference turning mostly on soil1 manure1 and cultivation4 ,the ,stone ,mason is an earlier cabbage than ,premium ,flat ,dutch1 has fewer waste leaves1 and side by side1 under high cultivation1 grows to an equal or larger size1 while it makes heads that are decidedly harder and sweeter4 ,these cabbages are equally reliable for heading4 ,i am inclined to the opinion that under poor cultivation the ,premium ,flat ,dutch will do somewhat better than the ,stone ,mason4 ,until the introduction of ,fottler's ,drumhead it was the standard drumhead cabbage in the markets of ,boston and other large cities of the ,north4 ,have the rows three feet apart1 and the plants from two to three feet apart in the row4 ,large ,late ,drumhead4 ,heads large1 round1 sometimes flattened at the top1 close and firm2 loose leaves numerous2 stems short2 reliable for heading1 hardy1 and a good keeper4 ,the name ,large ,late ,drumhead includes varieties raised by several seedsmen in this country1 all of which resemble each other in the above characteristics1 and differ in but minor points4 ,have rows three feet apart1 and plants from two and a half to three feet apart in the row4 ,marblehead ,mammoth ,drumhead4 ,this is the largest of the cabbage family1 having sometimes been grown to weigh over ninety pounds to the plant4 ,it originated in ,marblehead1 ,mass41 being produced by ,mr4 ,alley1 probably from the ,mason1 by years of high cultivation and careful selection of seed stock4 ,i introduced this cabbage and the ,stone ,mason to the general public many years ago1 and it has been pretty thoroughly disseminated throughout the ,united ,states4 ,heads varying in shape between hemispherical and spherical1 with but few waste leaves surrounding them2 size very large1 varying from fifteen to twenty inches in diameter1 and1 in some specimens1 they have grown to the extraordinary dimensions of twenty-four inches4 ,in good soil1 and with the highest culture1 this variety has attained an average weight of thirty pounds by the acre4 ,quality1 when well grown1 remarkably sweet and tender1 as would be inferred from the rapidity of its growth4 ,cultivate in rows four feet apart1 and allow four feet between the plants in the rows4 ,sixty tons of this variety have been raised from a single acre4 ,american ,green ,glazed4 ,heads loose1 though rather large1 with a great body of waste leaves surrounding them2 quality poor2 late2 stump long4 ,this cabbage was readily distinguished among all the varieties in my experimental plot by the deep1 rich green of the leaves1 with their bright lustre as though varnished4 ,it is grown somewhat extensively in the ,south1 as it is believed not to be so liable to injury from insects as other varieties4 ,plant two and a half feet apart each way4 ,i would advise my ,southern friends to try the merits of other kinds before adopting this poor affair4 ,i know1 through my correspondence1 that the ,mammoth has done well as far ,south as ,louisiana and ,cuba1 and the ,fottler1 in many sections of the ,south1 has given great satisfaction4 ,illustration ,fottler's ,early ,drumhead4 ,several years ago a ,boston seedsman imported a lot of cabbage seed from ,europe1 under the name of ,early ,brunswick ,short ,stemmed4 ,it proved to be a large heading and very early ,drumhead4 ,the heads were from eight to eighteen inches in diameter nearly flat1 hard1 sweet1 and tender in quality2 few waste leaves2 stump short4 ,in earliness it was about a fortnight ahead of the ,stone ,mason4 ,it was so much liked by the market gardeners that the next season he ordered a larger quantity2 but the second importation1 though ordered and sent under the same name1 proved to be a different and inferior kind1 and the same result followed one or two other importations4 ,the two gardeners who received seed of the first importation brought to market a fine1 large ,drumhead1 ten days or a fortnight ahead of their fellows4 ,the seed of the true stock was eagerly bought up by the ,boston market gardeners1 most of it at five dollars an ounce4 ,after an extensive trial on a large scale by the market farmers around ,boston1 and by farmers in various parts of the ,united ,states1 ,fottler's ,cabbage has given great satisfaction1 and become a universal favorite1 and when once known it1 and especially the improved strain of it1 known as ,deep ,head1 is fast replacing some of the old varieties of ,drumhead4 ,very reliable for heading4 ,illustration ,vandergaw ,cabbage4 ,this new ,long ,island ,cabbage must be classed as ,a ,no4 #a for the midsummer and late market4 ,it is as sure to head as the ,succession1 and has some excellent characteristics in common4 ,it makes large1 green heads1 hard1 tender1 and crisp4 ,this is an acquisition4 ,illustration ,the ,warren ,cabbage4 ,this first-class cabbage is closely allied to1 but an improvement on1 the old ,mason ,cabbage of twenty-five years ago4 ,it makes a head deep1 round1 and very hard1 the outer leaves wrapping it over very handsomely4 ,in reliability for heading no cabbage surpasses it2 a field of them when in their prime is as pretty a sight as a cabbage man would wish to see4 ,it comes in as early as some strains of ,fottler1 and a little earlier than others4 ,a capital sort to succeed the ,early ,summer4 ,the heads being very thick through1 and nearly round1 make it an excellent sort to carry through the winter1 as it peels well1 as cabbage-growers say4 ,ten inches in diameter1 in size it is just about right for profitable marketing4 ,a capital sort1 exceedingly popular among market-man in this vicinity4 ,illustration ,early ,bleichfeld ,cabbage4 ,i find the ,bleichfeld to be among the earliest of the large1 hard-heading ,drumheads1 maturing earlier than the ,fottler's ,brunswick4 ,the heads are large1 very solid1 tender when cooked1 and of excellent flavor4 ,the color is a lighter green than most varieties and it is as reliable for heading as any cabbage ,i have ever grown4 ,the above engraving ,i have had made from a photograph of a specimen grown on my grounds4 ,illustration ,danish ,drumhead ,cabbage4 ,in #ahgi1 ,mr4 ,edward ,abelgoord wrote me from ,canada1 that he raised a large ,drumhead ,cabbage1 the seed of which was brought from ,denmark1 which was the best kind of cabbage that he had seen in that latitude 7#df71 being very valuable for the extreme ,north4 ,it was earlier than ,fottler's ,drumhead1 and made large1 flat heads1 of excellent flavor1 and was so reliable for heading4 ,i raised a field of this new cabbage1 and it proved a large1 flat1 early ,drumhead1 very reliable for heading4 ,illustration ,the ,reynolds ,early ,cabbage4 ,in the year #ahge1 ,mr4 ,franklin ,reynolds1 of this town1 crossed the ,cannon-,ball ,cabbage on the ,schweinfurt ,quintal1 by carefully transferring the pollen of the former on the latter1 the stamens having first been removed1 and immediately tying muslin around the impregnated blossoms to keep away all insects4 ,the results were a few ripe seeds4 ,these were carefully saved and planted the next season1 when the product showed the characteristics of the two parents4 ,the best heads were selected from the lot1 and1 from these1 seeds were raised4 ,several selections were made of the choicest heads from year to year2 and ,i now have the pleasure of introducing the results1 a new cabbage which combines the good qualities of both its parents4 ,the flavor of this new cabbage is rich1 tender1 and sweet1 being superior to the general ,drumhead class1 making it a very superior variety for family use1 and also for marketing when there is not a long transportation4 ,none of the scores of varieties ,i have ever grown has a shorter stump than this2 the heads appear to rest directly on the ground1 and no one is surer to head4 ,illustration ,all-,seasons ,cabbage4 ,this new cabbage is the result of a cross made by a ,long ,island gardener between the ,flat ,dutch and a variety of ,drumhead4 ,the result is a remarkably large1 early ,drumhead1 that matures close in time with the ,early ,summer1 while it is from one third to one half larger4 ,it is an excellent variety either as an early or late sort2 the roundness of the head1 leaving a thick1 solid cabbage1 should it become necessary1 as is often the case with those marketed in the spring1 to peel off the outer layer of leaves4 ,heads large in size1 solid and tender1 and rich flavored when cooked4 ,it has already1 in three years1 verified the prophecy ,i made when sending it out1 and become a standard variety in some localities4 ,illustration ,gregory's ,hard-,heading ,cabbage4 ,i am not acquainted with any variety of cabbage 7,i believe ,i have raised about all the native and foreign varieties that have been catalogued7 that makes so hard a head as does the ,hard-heading when fully matured4 ,neither am ,i acquainted with any variety that is so late a keeper as is this2 the ,german gardener1 from whom ,i obtained it1 said that it gave him1 and his friends who had it1 complete control of the ,chicago market for about a fortnight after all other varieties had played out4 ,my own experience with it tends to confirm this statement1 for under the same conditions it kept decidedly later than all my other varieties1 was greener in color1 and when planted out they were so late to push seed-shoots that ,i almost despaired of getting a crop of seed4 ,i find1 also1 that they are much less inclined to burst than any of the hard-heading varieties4 ,heads grow to a good market size1 are more globular than ,flat ,dutch2 and1 as might be presumed1 of great weight in proportion to their size4 ,the color is a peculiar green1 rather more of an olive than most kinds of cabbage4 ,about a fortnight later than ,flat ,dutch4 ,for late fall1 winter1 and spring sales plant #c by #c the first of ,june4 ,illustration ,early ,deep-,head ,cabbage4 ,this is a valuable improvement on the ,fottler made by years of careful selection and high cultivation by ,mr4 ,alley of ,marblehead1 a famous cabbage grower1 who1 as the name indicates1 has produced a deeper1 rounder heading variety than the original ,fottler1 thus making what that was not1 an excellent sort for winter and spring marketing4 ,it has all the excellent traits of its parent in reliability for making large1 handsome heads4 ,bergen ,drumhead4 ,heads round1 rather flat on the top1 solid2 leaves stout1 thick1 and rather numerous2 stump short4 ,with me1 under same cultivation1 it is later than ,stone ,mason4 ,it is tender and of good flavor4 ,a popular sort in many sections1 particularly in the markets of ,new ,york ,city4 ,have the plants three feet apart each way4 ,,savoy ,,cabbages4 ,the ,savoys are the tenderest and richest-flavored of cabbages1 though not always as sweet as a well-grown ,stone ,mason2 nor is a ,savoy grown on poor soil1 or one that has been pinched by drouth1 as tender as a ,stone ,mason that has been grown under favoring circumstances2 yet it remains1 as a rule1 that the ,savoy surpasses all other cabbages in tenderness1 and in a rich1 marrow-like flavor4 ,the ,savoys are also the hardiest of the cabbage tribe1 enduring in the open field a temperature within sixteen degrees of zero without serious injury2 and if the heads are not very hard they will continue to withstand repeated changes from freezing to thawing for a couple of months1 as far north as the latitude of ,boston4 ,a degree of freezing improves them1 and it is common in that latitude to let such as are intended for early winter use1 in the family1 remain standing in the open ground where they grew1 cutting the heads as they are wanted4 ,as a rule ,savoys neither head as readily 7the ,improved ,american ,savoy being an exception7 nor do the heads grow as large as the ,drumhead varieties2 indeed1 most of the kinds in cultivation are so unreliable in these respects as to be utterly worthless for market purposes1 and nearly so for the kitchen garden4 ,the ,drumhead ,savoy4 ,this1 as the name implies1 is the result of a cross between a ,savoy and a ,drumhead cabbage1 partaking of the characteristics of each4 ,many of the cabbages sold in the market as ,savoy are really this variety4 ,one variety in my experimental garden1 which ,i received as ,,tour',s ,,savoy 7evidently a ,drumhead variety of the ,savoy71 proved to be much like ,early ,schweinfurt in earliness and style of heading2 the heads were very large1 but quite loose in structure2 ,i should think it would prove valuable for family use4 ,it is a fact that does not appear to be generally known that we have among the ,savoys some remarkably early sorts which rank with the earliest varieties of cabbage grown4 ,pancalier and ,early ,ulm ,savoy are earlier than that old standard of earliness1 ,early ,york2 ,pancalier being somewhat earlier than ,ulm4 ,pancalier is characterized by very coarsely blistered leaves of the darkest-green color2 the heads usually gather together1 being the only exception ,i know of to the rule that cabbage heads are made up of overlapping leaves1 wrapped closely together4 ,it has a short stump1 and with high cultivation is reliable for heading4 ,the leaves nearest the head1 though not forming a part of it1 are quite tender1 and may be cooked with the head4 ,plant fifteen by thirty inches4 ,early ,ulm ,savoy is a few days later than ,pancalier1 and makes a larger head2 the leaves are of a lighter green and not so coarsely blistered2 stump short2 head round2 very reliable for heading4 ,it has a capital characteristic in not being so liable as most varieties to burst the head and push the seed shoot immediately after the head is matured4 ,for first early1 ,i know no cabbages so desirable as these for the kitchen garden4 ,illustration ,the ,early ,dwarf ,savoy is a desirable variety of second early4 ,the heads are rather flat in shape1 and grow to a fair size4 ,stumps short2 reliable for heading4 ,improved ,american ,savoy4 ,everything considered1 this is the ,savoy1 par excellence1 for the market garden4 ,it is a true ,savoy1 the heads grow to a large size1 from six to ten inches in diameter1 varying1 of course1 with soil1 manure1 and cultivation4 ,in shape the heads are mostly globular1 occasionally oblong1 having but few waste leaves1 and grow very solid4 ,stump short4 ,in reliability for heading it is unsurpassed by any other cabbage4 ,illustration ,golden ,savoy differs from other varieties in the color of the head1 which rises from the body of light green leaves1 of a singular pale yellow color1 as though blanched4 ,the stumps are long1 and the head rather small1 a portion of these growing pointed4 ,it is very late1 not worth cultivating1 except as a curiosity4 ,norwegian ,savoy4 ,this is a singular half cabbage1 half kale--at least1 so it has proved under my cultivation4 ,the leaves are long1 narrow1 tasselated1 and somewhat blistered4 ,the whole appearance is very singular and rather ornamental4 ,i have tried this cabbage twice1 but have never got beyond the possible promise of a head4 ,victoria ,savoy1 ,russian ,savoy1 and ,cape ,savoy1 tested in my experimental garden1 did not prove desirable either for family use or for market purposes4 ,feather ,stemmed ,savoy4 ,this is a cross between the ,savoy and ,brussels sprouts1 having the habit of growth of ,brussels sprouts4 ,,other ,,varieties ,,of ,,cabbage4 ,i will add notes on some other varieties which have been tested1 from year to year1 in my experimental plot4 ,the results from tests of different strains of standard sorts1 ,i have not thought it worth the while to record4 ,cannon ,ball4 ,the heads are usually spherical1 attaining to a diameter of from five to nine inches1 with the surrounding leaves gathered rather closely around them2 in hardness and relative weight it is excelled by but few varieties4 ,stump short4 ,it delights in the highest cultivation possible4 ,it is about a week later than ,early ,york4 ,in those markets where cabbages are sold by weight1 it will pay to grow for market2 it is a good cabbage for the family garden4 ,early ,cone1 of the ,wakefield class1 but with me not as early4 ,garfield ,pickling1 of late variety1 of the conical class4 ,cardinal ,red4 ,a large1 late variety of red2 but on my grounds1 it is not equal to ,red ,drumhead4 ,vilmorin's ,early ,flat ,dutch4 ,not quite as large as ,early ,summer1 though about as early and resembles it in shape of head4 ,royal ,german ,drumhead4 ,reliable for heading4 ,large ,white ,solid ,magdeburg4 ,a late ,drumhead2 short stumped2 reliable for heading4 ,medium late4 ,pak ,choi4 ,evidently of the ,kale class2 no heads4 ,chou de ,burghlez and ,chou de ,milan4 ,these are coarse1 loose1 small heading varieties1 allied to ,kale4 ,the latter is of the ,savoy class4 ,earliest ,erfurt ,blood-,red4 ,decidedly the earliest of the red cabbages4 ,very reliable for heading4 ,a ,drumhead2 smaller than ,red ,drumhead4 ,very dark red4 ,empress4 ,resembles ,wyman in size and shape2 but the heads are more pointed1 and it makes head earlier4 ,heads well4 ,schlitzer4 ,this makes heads mostly shaped like the ,winnigstadt1 but a third larger4 ,its mottling of green and purple gives it a striking appearance4 ,early and very reliable for heading4 ,heads are not very hard2 but1 when cooked1 are just about as tender and rich-flavored as the ,savoy4 ,promises to be an excellent sort for family use4 ,rothelburg4 ,an early sure heading variety of the ,drumhead class4 ,heads of medium size2 resembling in shape ,deep ,head4 ,sure ,head4 ,a strain of ,flat ,dutch4 ,a late variety2 heads deeper than ,fottler1 but with me not so reliable4 ,dark ,red ,pointed4 ,resembles ,winnigstadt in shape4 ,about as late as ,red ,dutch1 and not as desirable4 ,bacalan ,late4 ,in shape resembles ,winnigstadt4 ,grow a little wild4 ,amack4 ,a late variety4 ,heads generally nearly globular and quite hard4 ,very reliable for heading4 ,bangholm4 ,first of all4 ,as early as the earliest1 but very small1--not as large as ,little ,pixie4 ,early ,enfield ,market4 ,tourleville4 ,heads resemble ,wakefield in form2 but1 with me1 are neither so large nor so large1 and are more inclined to burst4 ,danish ,round ,winter4 ,a late variety2 bearing deep1 hard heads on long stumps4 ,dwarf ,danish4 ,late4 ,reliable to head2 uneven in time of heading4 ,worth planting for market4 ,danish ,ball ,drumhead4 ,heads not characterized by globular shape1 but rather flattish4 ,irregular in length of stump4 ,early ,paris4 ,closely resembles ,wakefield4 ,very ,early ,etampes4 ,earlier than ,wakefield4 ,shape partakes of both ,oxheart and ,wakefield4 ,early ,mohawk4 ,light green in color2 a good header1 but not so hard heading as ,fottler4 ,appears to have a little of the ,savoy cross in it4 ,sure ,head4 ,a late variety of the ,dutch class2 reliable for heading2 stump rather long4 ,excelsior4 ,a variety which is of the ,fottler class1 but makes smaller sized heads4 ,louisville ,drumhead4 ,of the flat ,dutch type2 nearly as early as ,early ,summer4 ,early ,advance4 ,of the ,wakefield type4 ,with me it is full as early as ,wakefield1 and considerably larger4 ,rather coarser in structure4 ,market ,garden4 ,of the ,fottler class2 very reliable for heading4 ,heads of good size1 but rather coarser than the ,deep ,head4 ,chase's ,excelsior4 ,a second early2 much like ,fottler2 heads finely4 ,bloomsdale ,early ,market4 ,with me this is not as good a variety as ,wakefield4 ,berkshire ,beauty4 ,there appear to be fine possibilities in this cabbage1 which have not yet been developed into uniformity4 ,landredth's ,extra ,early4 ,with me it does not prove as early as ,wakefield1 and does not head as well4 ,bridgeport ,late ,drumhead4 ,a large ,drumhead2 in size1 between ,stone ,mason and ,marblehead ,mammoth4 ,reliable for heading1 but does not head as hard as either of these varieties4 ,not inclined to burst4 ,large ,french ,oxheart closely resembles ,early ,oxheart1 but grows to double the size1 and is about ten days later2 quality usually good4 ,early ,sugar ,loaf4 ,heads shaped much like a loaf of sugar standing on its smaller end1 resembling1 as ,burr well says1 a head of ,cos lettuce in its shape1 and in the peculiar clasping of the leaves about the head4 ,heads rather hard1 medium size2 early1 and tender4 ,it is said not to stand the heat as well as most sorts4 ,large ,brunswick ,short-,stemmed4 7,english seed47 ,late1 long-stumped1 wild1 plenty of leaves1 almost no head2 bears but a slight resemblance to ,fottler's ,drumhead4 ,early ,empress4 ,cabbages well2 heads conical2 early4 ,robinson's ,champion ,ox ,drumhead4 ,stump long2 heads soft and not very large2 wild4 ,english ,winnigstadt4 ,long-stumped2 irregular2 not to be compared with ,french stock4 ,blenheim4 ,early2 heads mostly conical2 of good size4 ,shillings ,queen4 ,early2 heads conical2 stumps long4 ,carter's ,superfine ,early ,dwarf4 ,surpasses in earliness and hardness of head4 ,closely allied to ,little ,pixie4 ,enfield ,market ,improved4 ,most of the heads were flat2 rather wild2 not to be compared with ,fottler4 ,kemp's ,incomparable4 ,long-headed2 heads1 when mature1 do not appear to burst as readily as with most of the conical class4 ,fielderkraut4 ,closely resembles ,winnigstadt1 with larger and longer heads and stump2 requires more room than ,winnigstadt4 ,ramsay's ,winter ,drumhead4 ,closely resembles ,st4 ,dennis4 ,i think it is the same4 ,pomeranian ,cabbage4 ,heads very long2 quite large for a conical heading sort2 very symmetrical and hard2 color1 yellowish-green4 ,it handles well1 and ,i should think would prove a good keeper4 ,medium early4 ,alsacian ,drumhead4 ,stump long2 late2 wild4 ,marbled ,bourgogne4 ,stumps long2 heads small and hard2 color1 a mixture of green and red4 ,,cabbage ,,greens4 ,in the vicinity of our large cities1 the market gardeners sow large areas very thickly with cabbage seed1 early in the spring1 to raise young plants to be sold as greens4 ,the seed is sown broadcast at the rate of ten pounds and upwards to the acre4 ,seed of the ,savoy cabbage is usually sown for this purpose1 which may be sometimes purchased at a discount1 owing to some defect in quality or purity1 that would render it worthless for planting for a crop of heading cabbage4 ,the young plants are cut off about even with the ground1 when four or five inches high1 washed1 and carried to market in barrels or bushel boxes4 ,the price varies with the state of the market1 from #ab cents to #c a barrel1 the average price in ,boston market being about a dollar4 ,with the return of spring most families have some cabbage stumps remaining in the cellar2 these can be planted about a foot apart in some handy spot along the edge of the garden1 where they will not interfere with the general crop1 setting them under ground from a quarter to a half their length1 depending on the length of the stumps4 ,they will soon be covered with green shoots1 which should be used as greens before the blossom buds show themselves1 as they then become too strong to be agreeable4 ,if the spot is rich and has been well dug1 the rapidity of growth is surprising2 and if the shoots are frequently gathered1 many nice messes of greens can be grown from a few stumps4 ,farmers in ,northern ,vermont tell me1 that if they break off each seed shoot as soon as it shows itself1 close home to the stump1 nice little heads will push out on almost every stump4 ,in ,england1 where the winter climate is much milder than that of ,new ,england1 it is the practice to raise a second crop of heads in this way4 ,in my own neighborhood ,i have seen an acre from which a crop of drumhead cabbage had been cut off early in the season1 every stump on which had from three to six hard heads1 varying from the size of a hen's egg to that of a goose egg2 but to get this second growth of heads1 as much of the stump and leaves should be left as possible1 when cutting out the original head4 ,as in the cabbage districts of the ,north little or no use is made of this prolific after growth1 it is worse than useless to suffer the ground to be exhausted by it2 the stump should be pulled by the potato hoe as soon as the heads are marketed4 ,when cabbages are planted out for seed1 if1 for any reason1 the seed shoot fails to push out1 and at times when it does push out1 fine sprouts for greens will start below the head2 when the stock of these sprouts becomes too tough for use1 the large leaves may be stripped from them and cooked4 ,i usually break off the tender tops of large sprouts1 and then strip off the tenderest of the large leaves below4 ,,cabbage ,,for ,,stock4 ,no vegetable raised in the temperate zone1 ,mangold ,wurtzel alone excepted1 will produce as much food to the acre1 both for man and beast1 as the cabbage4 ,i have seen acres of the ,marblehead ,mammoth drumhead which would average thirty pounds to each cabbage1 some specimens weighing over sixty pounds4 ,the plants were four feet apart each way which would give a product of over forty tons to the acre2 and ,i have tested a crop of ,fottler's that yielded thirty tons of green food to the half acre4 ,other vegetables are at times raised for cattle feed1 such as potatoes1 carrots1 ruta bagas1 mangold wurtzels2 a crop of potatoes yielding four hundred bushels to the acre at sixty pounds the bushel would weigh twelve tons2 a crop of carrot yielding twelve hundred bushels to the acre would weigh thirty tons2 ruta bagas sometimes yield thirty tons2 and mangolds as high as seventy tons to the acre4 ,i have set all these crops at a high capacity for fodder purposes2 the same favoring conditions of soil1 manure1 and cultivation that would produce four hundred bushels of potatoes1 twelve hundred bushels of carrots1 and thirty-five tons of ruta baga turnips1 would give a crop of forty tons of the largest variety of drumhead cabbage4 ,if we now consider the comparative merits of these crops for nutriment1 we find that the cabbage excels them all in this department also4 ,the potatoes abound in starch1 the mangold and carrot are largely composed of water1 while the cabbage abounds in rich1 nitrogeneous food4 ,prof4 ,stewart states that cabbage for milch cows has about the same feeding value as sweet corn ensilage1 and makes the value not over #c4dj per ton4 ,now it is admitted by general current that the value of common ensilage1 which is inferior to that made from sweet corn1 is1 when compared with good ,english hay1 as #c to #a4 ,this would make cabbages for milch cows worth not far from #g4jj per ton4 ,when cabbage is kept for stock feed later than the first severe frost1 if the quantity is large there is considerable waste even with the best of care4 ,the loose leaves should be fed first1 and the heads kept in a cool place1 not more than two or three deep1 at as near the freezing point as possible4 ,if it has been necessary to cut the heads from the stumps1 they may be piled1 after the weather has set in decidedly cold1 conveniently near the barn1 and kept covered with a foot of straw or old litter4 ,as long as a cabbage is kept frozen there is no waste to it2 but if it be allowed to freeze and thaw two or three times1 it will soon rot with an awful stench4 ,i suspect that it is this rotten portion of the cabbage that often gives the bad flavor to milk4 ,on the other hand1 if it is kept in too warm and dry a place1 the outer leaves will dry1 turning yellow1 and the whole head lose in weight1--if it be not very hard1 shrivelling1 and1 if hard1 shrinking4 ,if they are kept in too warm and wet a place1 the heads will decay fast1 in a black1 soft rot4 ,the best way to preserve cabbages for stock into the winter1 is to place them in trenches a few inches below the surface1 and there cover with from a foot to two feet of coarse hay or straw1 the depth depending on the coldness of the locality4 ,when the ground has been frozen too hard to open with a plough or spade1 ,i have kept them until spring by piling them loosely1 hay-stack shape1 about four feet high1 letting the frost strike through them1 and afterwards covering with a couple of feet of eel-grass2 straw or coarse hay would doubtless do as well4 ,i have treated of cabbage thus far when grown specially for stock2 in every piece of cabbage handled for market purposes1 there is a large proportion of waste suitable for stock feed1 which includes the outside leaves and such heads as have not hardened up sufficiently for market4 ,on walking over a piece just after my cabbages for seed stock have been taken off1 ,i note that the refuse leaves that were stripped from the heads before pulling are so abundant they nearly cover the ground4 ,if leaves so stripped remain exposed to frost1 they soon spoil2 or1 if earlier in the season they are exposed to the sun1 they soon become yellow1 dry1 and of but little value4 ,they can be rapidly collected with a hay fork and carted1 if there be but a few1 into the barn2 should there be a large quantity1 dump them within a convenient distance of the barn or feeding ground1 but not where the cattle can trample them1 and spread them so that they will be but a few inches in depth4 ,if piled in heaps they will quickly heat2 but even then1 if not too much decayed1 cattle will eat them with avidity4 ,cabbages are hardy plants1 and loose heads will stand a good deal of freezing and thawing without serious injury4 ,they are not generally injured with the thermometer #af below freezing4 ,the waste1 after the seed and all market cabbage are removed1 brings me about #aj per acre on the ground1 for cow feed4 ,if cabbage is fed to cows in milk without some care1 it will be apt to give the milk a strong cabbage flavor2 all the feed for the day should be given early in the morning4 ,beginning with a small quantity1 and gradually increasing it1 the dairy man will soon learn his limits4 ,the effect of a liberal feed to milk stock is to largely increase the flow of milk4 ,avoid feeding to any extent while the leaves are frozen4 ,an ,english writer says3 ,the cabbage comes into use when other things begin to fail1 and it is by far the best succulent vegetable for milking cows1--keeping up the yield of milk1 and preserving1 better than any other food1 some portion of the quality which cheese loses when the cows quit their natural pasturage4 ,cows fed on cabbages are always quiet and satisfied1 while on turnips they often scour and are restless4 ,when frosted1 they are liable to produce hoven1 unless kept in a warm shed to thaw before being used2 fifty-six pounds given1 at two meals1 are as much as a large cow should have in a day4 ,frequent cases of abortion are caused by an over-supply of green food4 ,cabbages are excellent for young animals1 keeping them in health1 and preventing 'black leg4' ,a calf of seven months may have twenty pounds a day4 ,,raising ,,cabbage ,,seed4 ,cabbage seed in ,england1 particularly of the drumhead sorts1 is mostly raised from stumps1 or from the refuse that remains after all that is salable has been disposed of4 ,the agent of one of the largest ,english seed houses1 a few years since1 laughed at my wastefulness1 as he termed it1 in raising seed from solid heads4 ,in our country1 cabbage seed is mostly raised from soft1 half-formed heads1 which are grown as a late crop1 few1 if any of them1 being hard enough to be of any value in the market4 ,seedsmen practise selecting a few fine1 hard heads1 from which to raise their seed stock4 ,it has been my practice to grow seed from none but extra fine heads1 better than the average of those carried to market4 ,i do this on the theory that no cabbage can be too good for a seedhead1 if the design is to keep the stock first-class4 ,perhaps such strictness may not be necessary2 but ,i had rather err in setting out too good heads than too poor ones2 besides1 the great hardness obtained by the heads of the ,stone ,mason1 makes it possible1 at least1 that ,i am right4 ,cabbage raised from seed grown from stumps are apt to be unreliable for heading1 and to grow long-stumped1 though under unfavorable conditions1 long-stumped and poor-headed cabbage may grow from the best of seed4 ,to have the best of seed1 all shoots that start below the head should be broken off4 ,to prevent the plants falling over after the seed-stalks are grown1 dig deep holes1 and plant the entire stump in the ground4 ,scarecrows should be set up1 or some like precaution be taken1 to keep away the little seed-birds1 that begin to crack the pods as soon as they commence to ripen4 ,a plaster cat is a very good scarecrow to frighten away birds from seed and small fruits1 if its location is changed every few days4 ,i find that the pods of cabbage seed grown ,south are tough1 and not brittle1 like those grown ,north1 and hence that they are injured but little1 if any1 by seed birds4 ,when the seed-pods have passed what seedsmen call their red stage1 they begin to harden2 as soon as a third of them are brown1 the entire stalk may be cut and hung up in a dry1 airy place1 for a few days1 when the seed will be ready for rubbing or threshing out4 ,different varieties should be raised far apart to insure purity2 and cabbage seed had better not be raised in the vicinity of turnip seed4 ,there is some difference of opinion as to the effect of growing these near each other2 where the two vegetables blossom at the same time1 ,i should fear an admixture4 ,when the care requisite to select good seed stock1 and the trouble1 and1 often1 great loss1 in keeping it over winter1 planting it in isolated locations1 protecting it from wind and weather1 guarding it from injury from birds and other enemies1 gathering it1 cleaning it1 are all considered1 few men will find that they can afford to raise their own seed1 provided they can buy it from reliable seedsmen4 ,,cooking ,,cabbage1 ,,sour-,,krout1 ,,etc4 ,cabbage when boiled with salt pork1 as it is mostly used1 is the food for strong and healthy digestive powers2 but when eaten in its raw state1 served with vinegar and pepper1 it is considered one of the most easily digested articles of diet4 ,in the process of cooking1 even with the greatest care1 a large portion of the sweetness is lost4 ,the length of time required to cook cabbage by boiling varies with the quality1 those of the best quality requiring about twenty minutes1 while others require an hour4 ,in cooking put it into boiling water in which a little salt and soda has been sprinkled1 which will tend to preserve the natural green color4 ,it will be well to change the water once4 ,the peculiar aroma given out by cabbage when cooking is thought to depend somewhat on the manner in which it is grown2 those having been raised with the least rank manure having the least4 ,i think this is one of the whims of the community4 ,by using some varieties of boilers all steam is carried into the fire1 and there is no smell in the house4 ,to ,pickle1 select hard heads1 quarter them1 soak in salt and water four or five days1 then drain and treat as for other pickles1 with vinegar spiced to suit4 ,for ,cold ,slaw1 select hard heads1 halve and then slice up these halves exceedingly fine4 ,lay these in a deep dish1 and pour over vinegar that has been raised to the boiling point in which has been mixed a little pepper and salt4 ,sour-,krout4 ,take large1 hard-headed drumheads1 halve1 and cut very fine2 then pack in a clean1 tight barrel1 beginning with a sprinkling of salt1 and following with a layer of cabbage1 and thus alternating until the barrel is filled4 ,now compact the mass as much as possible by pounding1 after which put on a well-fitting cover resting on the cabbage1 and lay heavy weights or a stone on this4 ,when fermented it is ready for use4 ,to prepare for the table fry in butter or fat4 ,the outer green leaves of cabbages are sometimes used to line a brass or copper kettle in which pickles are made in the belief that the vinegar extracts the coloring substance 7chlorophyl7 in the leaves1 and the cucumbers absorbing this acquire a rich green color4 ,be not deceived by this transparent cheat1 ,o simple housewife6 the coloring matter comes almost wholly from the copper or brass behind those leaves2 and1 instead of an innocent vegetable pigment1 your green cucumbers are dyed with the poisonous carbonate of copper4 ,,cabbages ,,under ,,glass4 ,the very early cabbages usually bringing high prices1 the enterprising market gardener either winters the young plants under glass or starts them there1 planting the seed under its protecting shelter long before the cold of winter is passed4 ,when the design is to winter over fall grown plants1 the seed are planted in the open ground about the middle of ,september1 and at about the last of ,october they are ready to go into the cold frames1 as such are called that depend wholly on the sun for heat4 ,select those having short stumps and transplant into the frames1 about an inch and a half by two inches apart1 setting them deep in the soil up to the lower leaves1 shading them with a straw mat1 or the like1 for a few days1 after which let them remain without any glass over them until the frost is severe enough to begin to freeze the ground1 then place over the sashes2 but bear in mind that the object is not to promote growth1 but1 as nearly as possible1 to keep them in a dormant state1 to keep them so cold that they will not grow1 and just sufficiently protected to prevent injury from freezing4 ,with this object in view the sashes must be raised whenever the temperature is above freezing1 and this process will so harden the plants that they will receive no serious injury though the ground under the sash should freeze two inches deep2 cabbage plants will stand a temperature of fifteen to twenty degrees below the freezing point4 ,a covering of snow on the sash will do no harm1 if it does not last longer than a week or ten days1 in which case it must be removed4 ,there is some danger to be feared from ground mice1 who1 when everything else is locked up by the frost1 will instinctively take to the sash1 and there cause much destruction among the plants unless these are occasionally examined4 ,when ,march opens remove the sash when the temperature will allow1 replacing it when the weather is unseasonably cold1 particularly at night4 ,the plants may be brought still farther forward by transferring them from the hot-bed when two or three inches high to cold frames1 having first somewhat hardened them4 ,when so transferred plant them about an inch apart1 and shield from the sun for two or three days4 ,after this they may be treated as in cold frames4 ,the transfer tends to keep them stocky1 increases the fibrous roots and makes the plants hardier4 ,as the month advances it may be left entirely off1 and about the first of ,april the plants may be set out in the open field1 pressing fine earth firmly around the roots4 ,when cabbages are raised in hot-beds the seed1 in the latitude of ,boston1 should be planted on the first of ,march2 in that of ,new ,york1 about a fortnight earlier4 ,when two or three inches high1 which will be in three or four weeks1 they should be thinned to about four or less to an inch in the row4 ,they should now be well hardened by partly drawing off the sashes in the warm part of the day1 and covering at night2 as the season advances remove the sashes entirely by day1 covering only at night4 ,by about the middle of ,april the plants will be ready for the open ground4 ,when raised in cold frames in the spring1 the seed should be planted about the first of ,april1 mats being used to retain by night the solar heat accumulated during the day4 ,as the season advances the same process of hardening will be necessary as with those raised in hot-beds4 ,,cold ,,frame ,,and ,,hot-,,bed4 ,to carry on hot-beds on a large scale successfully is almost an art in itself1 and for fuller details ,i will refer my readers to works on gardening4 ,early plants1 in a small way1 may be raised in flower pots or boxes in a warm kitchen window4 ,it is best1 if practicable1 to have but one plant in each pot1 that they may grow short and stocky4 ,if the seed are not planted earlier than ,april1 for out-of-door cultivation1 a cold frame will answer4 ,for a cold frame select the locality in the fall1 choosing a warm location on a southern slope1 protected by a fence or building on the north and north-west4 ,set posts in the ground1 nail two boards to these parallel to each other1 one about a foot in height1 and the other towards the south about four inches narrower2 this will give the sashes resting on them the right slope to shed the rain and receive as much heat as possible from the sun4 ,have these boards at a distance apart equal to the length of the sash1 which may be any common window sash for a small bed1 while three and a half feet is the length of a common gardener's sash4 ,if common window sash is used cut channels in the cross-bars to let the water run off4 ,dig the ground thoroughly 7it is best to cover it in the fall with litter1 to keep the frost out7 and rake out all stones or clods2 then slide in the sash and let it remain closed for three or four days1 that the soil may be warmed by the sun's rays4 ,the two end boards and the bottom board should rise as high as the sash1 to prevent the heat escaping1 and the bottom board of a small frame should have a strip nailed inside to rest the sash on4 ,next rake in1 thoroughly1 guano1 or phosphate1 or finely pulverized hen manure1 and plant in rows four to six inches apart4 ,as the season advances raise the sashes an inch or two1 in the middle of the day1 and water freely1 at evening1 with water that is nearly of the temperature of the earth in the frame4 ,as the heat of the season increases whitewash the glass1 and keep them more and more open until just before the plants are set in open ground1 then allow the glass to remain entirely off1 both day and night1 unless there should be a cold rain4 ,this will harden them so that they will not be apt to be injured by the cabbage beetle1 as well as chilled and put back by the change4 ,should the plants be getting too large before the season for transplanting1 they should be checked by root pruning1--drawing a sharp knife within a couple of inches of the stalk4 ,if it is desirable still further to check their growth1 or harden them1 transplant into another cold frame1 allowing each plant double the distance it before occupied4 ,the structure and management of a hot-bed is much the same as that of a cold frame1 with the exception that the sashes are usually longer and the back and front somewhat higher2 being started earlier the requisite temperature has to be kept up by artificial means1 fermenting manure being relied upon for the purpose2 and the loss of this heat has to be checked more carefully by straw matting1 and1 in the far ,north1 by shutters also4 ,in constructing it1 horse-manure1 with plenty of litter1 and about a quarter its bulk in leaves1 if attainable1 all having been well mixed together1 is thrown into a pile1 and left for a few days until steam escapes1 when the mass is again thrown over and left for two or three days more1 after which it is thrown into the pit 7or it may be placed directly on the surface7 which is lined with boards1 from eighteen inches to two feet in depth1 when it is beaten down with a fork and trodden well together4 ,the sashes are now put on and kept there until heat is developed4 ,the first intense heat must be allowed to pass off1 which will be in about three days after the high temperature is reached4 ,now throw on six or eight inches of fine soil1 in which mix well rotted manure1 free from all straw1 or rake in1 thoroughly1 superphosphate1 or guano1 at the rate of two thousand pounds to the acre1 and plant the seed as in cold frame4 ,harden the plants as directed in preceding paragraph4 ,,cauliflower1 ,,broccoli1 ,,brussels-,,sprouts1 ,,kale1 ,,and ,,sea-,,kale4 ,my treatise on the cabbage would hardly be complete without some allusion to such prominent members of the ,brassica family as the cauliflower1 broccoli1 brussels-sprouts1 and kale4 ,cauliflower4 ,wrote the great ,dr4 ,johnson3 ,of all the flowers of the garden1 give me the cauliflower4 ,whether from this we are to infer the surpassing excellence of this member of the ,brassica family1 or that the distinguished lexicographer meant emphatically to state his preference of utility to beauty 7perhaps our own ,ben4 ,franklin took a leaf from him71 each reader must be his own judge2 but be that as it may1 it remains true1 beyond all controversy1 that the cauliflower1 in toothsome excellence1 stands at the head of the great family of which it is a member4 ,to be successful1 and raise choice cauliflowers1 is the height of the ambition of the market gardener2 and1 with all his experience1 and with every facility at hand1 he does not expect full success oftener than three years in four4 ,the cauliflower1 like the strawberry1 is exceedingly sensitive to the presence or absence of sufficient water1 and success or failure with the crop may turn on its having a full supply from the time they are half grown4 ,the finest specimens raised in ,europe are grown in beds1 which are kept well watered from the supply which runs between them2 and the most successful growers in the country irrigate their crops during periods of drouth4 ,cauliflowers do best on deep1 rich1 rather moist soils4 ,in the way of food1 they want the very best1 and plenty of it at that4 ,the successful competitor1 who won the first prize at the great ,bay ,state ,fair1 to the disgusted surprise of a grower justly famous for his almost uniform success in winning the laurels1 whispered in my ear his secret3 ,r4 manures very heavily in the spring for his crop4 ,i manure very heavily both fall and spring4 ,in manuring1 therefore1 do as well by them as by your heaviest crop of large drumhead cabbage1 using rich and well-rotted manure1 broadcast1 with dissolved bone or ashes1 or both1 in the drill4 ,plough deep1 and work the land very thoroughly1 two ploughings1 with a harrowing between1 are better than one4 ,give plenty of room2 three by three for the smaller sorts1 and three by three and a half for the later and larger4 ,they need the same cultivation1 and1 being subject to the same diseases and injury from insect enemies1 need the same protection as their cousins of the cabbage tribe4 ,in raising for the summer market1 start in the cold frame1 or plant as early as the ground can be worked1 that the plants may get well started before the dry season1 or the crop will be likely to make such small heads buttons as to be practically a failure4 ,for late crop1 plant seed in the hills where they are to grow1 from the #bjth of ,may to the middle of ,june4 ,the crop ripens somewhat irregularly4 ,when there is danger from frost1 the later heads should be pulled and stored1 with both roots and leaves1 being crowded1 standing as they grew1 into a cold cellar or cold pit1 when they will continue growing4 ,as soon as the heads begin to form1 they should be protected from sunlight by either half breaking off the outer leaves and bending them over them1 or by gathering these leaves loosely together and confining them loosely by rough pegs1 or by tying them together with a wisp of rye-straw4 ,varieties4 ,these are almost as numerous as in the cabbage family4 ,i find notes on some thirty-five varieties1 tested from year to year1 in my experimental grounds4 ,most of them prove themselves to be but a lottery1 in this country of dry seasons1 though in the moister climate of the ,european localities1 where they are at home1 they are a success4 ,illustration ,illustration ,the ,half-,early ,paris1 or ,demi-,dur1 was for years the standard variety raised in this country1 and from this1 by selection1 favorite local varieties were obtained2 but1 of late years1 this has been1 to a large degree1 superseded by several excellent sorts1 of which the ,extra-,early ,dwarf ,erfurt was1 doubtless the parent4 ,principal among these varieties are the ,snowball1 the ,sea-,foam1 ,vick's ,ideal1 and ,berlin ,dwarf4 ,all of these are early sorts and excellent strains4 ,after testing them side by side1 ,i find that the best strain of the ,snowball is not excelled by either of them4 ,of the somewhat later ripening sorts1 a variety which originated in this country1 called the ,long ,island ,beauty1 gives me great satisfaction1 in its reliability for heading1 and in the large size of its heads2 this1 with the ,algerian1 as a larger late sort1 will give us a first-class series4 ,illustration ,cauliflower seed is not raised1 as yet1 to any large extent in this country1 though some successful efforts have recently been made in this direction4 ,i have found that there is a remarkable difference between varieties in the quantity of seed they will yield4 ,from one variety ,i have raised as high as sixty pounds of seed from a given number of plants1 while from two others1 equally early1 having the same number of plants in each instance1 and raised in the same location 7an island in the ocean71 with precisely the same treatment in every way1 ,i got1 in each case1 less than a tablespoonful of seed1 though the heads of some of them grew to the enormous size of sixteen inches in diameter4 ,a fine cauliflower is the pet achievement of the market gardener4 ,the great aim is not to produce size only1 but the fine1 white1 creamy color1 compactness1 and what is technically called curdy appearance1 from its resemblance to the curd of milk in its preparation for cheese4 ,when the flower begins to open1 or when it is of a warty or frost-like appearance1 it is less esteemed4 ,it should not be cut in summer above a day before it is used4 ,the cauliflower is served with milk and butter1 or it may become a component of soups1 or be used as a pickle4 ,the ,broccoli are closely allied to the cauliflower1 the white varieties bearing so close a resemblance that one of them1 the ,walcheren1 is by some classed indiscriminately with each4 ,the chief distinction between the two is in hardiness1 the broccoli being much the hardier4 ,of ,broccoli over forty varieties are named in foreign catalogues1 of which ,,walcheren is one of the very best4 ,,knight',s ,,protecting is an exceedingly hardy dwarf sort4 ,as a rule1 the white varieties are preferred to the purple kinds4 ,plant and treat as cauliflower4 ,of ,brussels-,sprouts 7or bud-bearing cabbage7 there are but two varieties1 the dwarf and the tall2 the tall kind produces more buds1 while the dwarf is the hardier4 ,the sprouts form on the stalks1 and are miniature heads of cabbage from the size of a pea to that of a pigeon's egg4 ,they are raised to but a limited extent in this country1 but in ,europe they are grown on a large scale4 ,the sprouts may be cooked and served like cabbage1 though oftentimes they are treated more as a delicacy and served with butter or some rich sauce4 ,the ,,feather ,,stem ,,savoy and ,,dalmeny ,,sprouts are considered as hybrids1 the one between the brussels-sprouts and ,savoy1 the other between it and ,drumhead ,savoy4 ,the soil for brussels-sprouts should not be so rich as for cabbage1 as the object is to grow them small and solid4 ,give the same distance apart as for early cabbage1 and the same manner of cultivation4 ,break off the leaves at the sides a few at a time when the sprouts begin to form and when they are ready to use cut them off with a sharp knife4 ,kale4 ,sea-kale1 or sea-cabbage1 is a native of the sea coast of ,england1 growing in the sand and pebbles of the sea-shore4 ,it is a perennial1 perfectly hardy1 withstanding the coldest winters of ,new ,england4 ,the blossoms1 though bearing a general resemblance to those of other members of the cabbage family1 are yet quite unique in appearance1 and ,i think worthy of a place in the flower garden4 ,it is propagated both by seed and by cuttings of the roots1 having the rows three feet apart1 and the plants three feet apart in the rows4 ,it is difficult to get the seeds to vegetate4 ,plant seed in ,april and ,may4 ,the ground should be richly manured1 and deeply and thoroughly worked4 ,it is blanched before using4 ,in cooking it it requires to be very thoroughly boiled1 after which it is served up in melted butter and toasted bread4 ,the sea-kale is highly prized in ,england2 but thus far its cultivation in this country has been very limited4 ,the ,borecole1 or common kale1 is of the cabbage family1 but is characterized by not heading like the cabbage or producing eatable flowers like the cauliflower and broccoli4 ,the varieties are very numerous1 some of them growing very large and coarse1 suitable only as food for stock2 others are exceedingly finely curled1 and excellent for table use2 while others in their color and structure are highly ornamental4 ,they are annual1 biennial1 and perennial4 ,they do not require so strong a soil or such high manuring as other varieties of the cabbage family4 ,the varieties are almost endless2 some of the best in cultivation for table use are the ,,dwarf ,,scotch1 ,,dwarf ,,green ,,curled or ,,german ,,greens1 ,,tall ,,green ,,curled1 ,,purple ,,borecole1 and the variegated kales4 ,the crown of the plant is used as greens1 or as an ingredient in soups4 ,the kales are very hardy1 and the dwarf varieties1 with but little protection1 can be kept in the ,north well into the winter in the open ground4 ,plant and cultivate like ,savoy cabbage4 ,the variegated sorts1 with their fine curled leaves of a rich purple1 green1 red1 white1 or yellow color1 are very pleasing in their effects1 and form a striking and attractive feature when planted in clumps in the flower garden1 particularly is this so because their extreme hardiness leaves them in full vigor after the cold has destroyed all other plants--some of the richest colors are developed along the veins of the uppermost leaves after the plant has nearly finished its growth for the season4 ,the ,,jersey ,,cow ,,kale grows to from three to six feet in height and yields a great body of green food for stock2 have the rows about three feet apart1 and the plants two to three feet distant in the rows4 ,in several instances my customers have written me that this kale raised for stock feed has given them great satisfaction4 ,the ,,thousand-,,headed ,,kale is a tall variety sending out numerous side shoots1 whence the name4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,squashes3 ,,how ,,to ,,grow ,,them4 ,,price1 #cj ,,cents1 ,,by ,,mail4 ,this treatise is amply illustrated1 and gives full particulars on every point1 including keeping and marketing the crop4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,fertilizers3 ,,where ,,the ,,materials ,,come ,,from2 ,,how ,,to ,,get ,,them ,,in ,,the ,,cheapest ,,form2 ,,how ,,to ,,make ,,our ,,own ,,fertilizers4 ,in this work there will be found many valuable tables1 with many suggestions1 and much information on the purchase of materials1 the combining of them1 and the use of the fertilizers made from them4 ,i believe it will give a good return to any of my customers1 for his outlay4 ,the treatise makes a book of #aaf pages4 ,,price1 ,,by ,,mail1 #dj ,,cents4 ,,cabbages ,,and ,,cauliflowers3 ,,how ,,to ,,grow ,,them4 ,a ,,practical ,,treatise1 ,,giving ,,full ,,details ,,on ,,every ,,point1 ,,including ,,keeping ,,and ,,marketing ,,the ,,crop4 ,,by ,,james ,j4 ,h4 ,,gregory1 ,,author ,,of ,,works ,,on ,,squash ,,raising1 ,,onion ,,raising1 ,,etc41 ,,etc4 ,,boston3 ,,cashman1 ,,keating ,,co41 ,,printers1 #ahhi4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,onion ,,raising3 ,,what ,,kinds ,,to ,,raise ,,and ,,the ,,way ,,to ,,raise ,,them4 ,,by ,,james ,j4 ,h4 ,,gregory1 ,,seed ,,grower ,,and ,,dealer1 ,,marblehead1 ,,mass4 ,this work has been warmly recommended by some of the best authorities in the country1 and has gone through fourteen editions4 ,it gives the minutest details1 from selecting the ground and preparing the soil1 up to gathering and marketing the crop4 ,illustrated with thirteen engravings of ,onions1 ,sowing ,machines1 and ,weeding ,machines4 ,,price1 ,,by ,,mail1 #cj ,,cents4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,new ,,treatise4 ,,carrots1 ,,mangold ,,wurtzels ,,and ,,sugar ,,beets4 ,,what ,,kind ,,to ,,raise3 ,how to ,grow ,them ,,and ,how to ,feed ,them4 ,this treatise presents1 in minutest detail1 every step of progress1 from planting the seed to the matured crop4 ,,by ,,james ,j4 ,h4 ,,gregory1 ,,marblehead1 ,,mass4 ,,price1 ,,by ,,mail1 #cj ,,cents4