Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-06-26
From the Press & Messenger.
How to Raise Winter Cabbage

From the Press u Messenger.
How to Raise Winter Cabbage.
Having been requested by many friends
to give them my plan of growing winter
cabbage, have concluded to do so through
the columns of the Press & Messenger, that
all who wish to enjoy the luxury of fine,
large cabbage during the winter at small
cost and trouble, may do so. The main
point in raising cabbage for winter, in this
climate, is TO have them head up late in the
fall and early winter If they head up ear
ler, while the weather is hot, they are most
certain to rot
early in June, and it requires much care
and attenticn-not much labor-to secure
the plants as late in the season. IF not pro-
tected from the sun, they will die as fast as
they come up.
Prepare bed in partially shaded loca-
ton, if possible have the ground thor
oughly pulverized, and if dry, we'll water
ed-lay off the bed in small burrows, six or
seven inches apart-sow the seed thick
cover them carefully with rake of the
Land which is better press the earth
gently on them, if the location is much ex-
posed to the sun. The shade must not be
too dense or they will run up very spind-
ling and fall down. Have the ground
watered every evening, unless the weather
is damp.
After they come up, remove the shade
gradually and continue to water occasion
ally, if necessary, until the plants are well
rooted-work them we'll and keep all grass
and weeds down.
No one who is unwilling to bestcw the
proper care and attention need undertake
to raise cabbage plants at this season of
the year. Plants raised in the Spring, and
allowed to remain in the bed until the
proper time for transplanting, will make
good cabbage, but not so good as planted
later. The stalk becomes too dry and
hard.
They are to be transplanted in the month
Of August, and in the following manner
Dig holes the depth and width of spade,
three feet apart each way; fill them half full
of good, rich, well-rotted manure, first
putting in the bottom tablespoonful OF
Peruvian guano, if to be had, then fill the
hole nearly full with the top soil. All this
must be done in readiness for transplant
ing during the rains in August.
Transplant deep, up to the leaves, in the
plants will have long shanks, the whole of
which must be put into the ground. A
very good plan, if it is desired to raise
them on a large scale, is to lay off very
deep burrows with a large turn pillow, put
in the manure heavily, partially fill them,
and transplant in them. They must be
hoed frequently, once a week is not too
often, and always in the morning while the
dew is on. All cabbage should be thus
hOed. The bottom leaves must not be
pulled, or they will not head well. Upon
the approach of very cold weather turn
them down to the earth, and cover up all
the stalk, leaves and all, we'll with dirt,
sufficiently to hold them down, only leaving
out the top of the head. Thus managed
they will continue to head during the
Winter. 1t may be necessary to put some
pine bark or straw over the head, to fur
Their protect them if the weather is ex-
tremely cold, though I have rarely found
it necessary.
Upon the first appearance of the heads
bursting to run to seed, cut them all down
and put them away in cellar or any other
cool place, and they will keep until they
can all be disposed of.
Cabbage are very liable to be eaten up
in the Fall by the green worm. They may
be caught by breaking off a leaf and put
ting on the top at night, when numbers of
them will be on the under side next morn
ing. This repeated will soon destroy them
all. Fowls let to run among them will
soon destroy great many of them. Cab
bage planted my way will head very low,
near On the ground, and fowls can reach
them.
A sure preventive against cut worm, is
to SOW salt upon the ground in the Fall or
Winter at the rate of three or four hun
dred pounds to the acre. which is also
good manure.
usually plant the Flat Dutch and Drum
head. The Bergen makes very large
head, but not so firm and hard as the 9TH
ers.
Any one pursuing this plan to the letter,
and failing to raise as fine cabbage as ever
came from old Buncombe may set me down
O bI1n1buO T A F,THERTDGE