Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-04-28

Inc louOWlng interesting communlca-
ton on this subject is written for the
Country Gentleman, by Mr.. T. Bowick,
Bedford, England This system may be
worth trying in this country:
These are commonly raised in seed
bed and then transplanted to the field.
The largest specimens are obtained in this
way; there is also a saving in seed. But
some growers drill them very successfully
in the place where they are to stand;
though less time is allowed for cleaning
the ground. In this respect, however
steam cultivation begins TO revolutiOnizc
our ideas, for that which was formerly
attended TO in March is now better and
cheaper done under the scorching inllu-
ences of July or August sun. Hence
there is no reason why this plan should
not be more widely adopted, and the
planting out lessened in extent.
A seed bed for cabbsges can hardly be
too fine or too rich. If the plants are TO
be placed out in March or April of the fol
lowing year, they should be sown in August,
and when they are well above ground,
thin them out freely, leaving the strong
est. You have thus plants which will
give an abundance of food in the autumn
of next year. But if to be planted out
in June for later feed, the seed may be
sown in the February previous. One
pound viii provide sufficient plants for
transplanting on al acre.
MANURE.-lf thoroughly good results
are to be insured, you must manure liber-
ally and well. Liquid manuring, farm
yard dung, and full allowance of arti-
ficials, must alike be brought into requi-
sition.
Cabbages thrive best on strong loamy
soil; but they may be grown almost any
where, though not perhaps so large in size
On lighter soils the smaller sorts planted
at the rate of 5000 to the acre will do
well; whereas the large Drumheads sue
coed better in rich land, from 4, 900 to
5000 to the acre.
CULTURE. loss often arises from
carelessness in TRANSFORMING. Care and
attention pay well here. Do not let the
plants be roughly pulled, or tightly tied
bundles. They should be gently slack
ened with the digging fork, so as to
bring up q little fine mould, and not TO
injure the smaller rootlets Then pinch
off the end of, the tap root with the
thumb of the finger, at the same time re
moving any unhealthy excresccnces
which are attached TO the root or STEM
Let them be got up every half day as the
work proceeds, and the roots also TO be
shaded from the sun and wind If, on
the other hand, the plants have 10 be
brought from a distance, the roots had
better be stepped in a mixture of earth
and water of good consistency, TO which
SCOT or mild dilutiOn of guanO may he
added, Many planters are exceedingly
careless as to making the holes and fin
ishing on the plants. The soil must be
well pressed TO the bottom of the root,
else an underground chamber is left,
which rctards growth, and forms an ex-
cellent home for the grub and wire-worm.
Many good growers never water;
others make point of doing so if the
season demands, and there seems so little
difference in results, that under ordinary
circumstances it may he dispensed with.
~ Hand and horse hoeing throughout the
season necessarily follow. And care must
be taken that the soil is not so much re-
moved fir m the ridge as with Swedes OF
mangolds. The final moulding up should
be attended TO before the plants are too
large. Any blanks that appear may be
filled up with fresh plants from the seed
bed. And where cabbage or kohl rab
plants can be spared or obtained for the
purpose, this will be good mode of filline
up the vacancies in Swedes or mangol(
fields as well.
Cattle and sheep do well on cabbagcs
and no farm should be without its few
acres every year. Nay, we would &,
further, and say that kohl rabi and cab
bages should between them occupy al
ample a space as either mangold or Swede
in the general rotation.