The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-06-19
COntai"edj lALbu-l Ca, DOL <,,J
IN 100 Water. A8h. mr. hN- mh Fat.
pnrtS. Oi1s dr0keS. '
Cabbage. $50 IL is 63 20 o.
Corn fOd r 8..3 IL % 81 SO 05
Red clover $50 is 3.3 ~ 4.6 o.
Hungari'n
grass. ...l ID b "a 6.9 IL b lilo Id
Turnipa u $40 l8 III 81 10 OIL

1t is seen from the above that cab
bage is at least equal to fresh corn fod-
der, and superior to turnips; that as
compared with red clover, and even
Hungarian grass, taking account ofthe
vast difference in the yields per acre of
each crop, it is far superior to them in
nutritious value. Under these circum-
stances, it is certainly strange that
cabbage is entirely neglected as farm
crop tor feeding to animals. Under
our present circumstances, when farm
ing has come to that point where it
must be carried on skillfully and eco
nomically or it will fail TO be profita-
BILE, it is interesting to consider the
value of this crop, the manner of cult
waiting it, and of using it both for mar
ket and for fodder. Cabbage belongs
to the same botanical family (Brassica)
as rape and turnips, and is naturally q
marine plant. growing upon sea-shores
in saline, sandy soils, and ander the
influence of moist, cool, atmosphere.
During a long period of cultivation it
has, of course, been much changed in
character, but even now, a low, light,
moist soil and abundance of salt are
favorable to its growth. It is bien-
NAL plant, forming dense head of
leaves the first year. from which bursts
out tall shoot the second year, upon
which is borne the flowers and the
seed. The stem carries a number of
buds which do not break into leaves
the first year, but which produce seed
the second year. One variety, how
ever, differs from others in this re-
spect; this is known az the thousand
head cabbage, from the abundance of
clusters of leaves or loose heads which
sprout from the elongated stalk the
fist year of its growth, and produce q
vast amount of fodder, which is greatly
in demand in England rs food for
sheep and COWS.
Cabbage is not usually sown upon
the land where it is grown. Some
farmers have grown it in hills, by SOW
ing few seeds three feet apart each
way, and thinning out the plants to
three or four in each hill, and growing
them without transplanting. It would
seem that the crop might be grown
successfully in this manner, as well as
the related turnip, but it is not 50 in
fact, as the check given by transplant
ing delays the growth, prevents the
bursting of the head, and causes it to
grow solid and hard. The general
method of growth is to SOW the seed in
q seed-bed, and, when the plants are of
sufficient size, to transplant them to
the field. For field culture large grow
ing kinds are generally planted, but it
is not certain by any means that the
largest heads are the best or most
profitable. For instance, the large
varieties are planted three feet apart
each way, which gives 4.84O plants per
acre. The smaller kinds can be plant
ed two feet apart each way, which
gives nearly II, 900 plants to the acre;
If the first kind weighs Is to 70 pounds
each, which is q very liberal estimate,
given for comparison only, and the
other averages s to 10 pounds, which is
q fair estimate for moderate crop,
1--WE have grown them to average Is
pounds over large plot), the smaller
kind is seen to yield the greater weight.
After growing several annual crops,
we prefer the intermediate kinds. neith-
er large nor small, which can be grown
two feet apart each way.
The fertilizers used for cabbage are,
first, stable manure, and next. nitrog-
! enous and phosphate fertilizers such
as fish guano, which is remarkably eff
fective, Peruvian guano, aud super
phosphate of lime, mixed with dried
blood. The manner of planting is to
furrow ont the ground, previously well
plowed and narrowed deeply, both
ways. two feet apart, or such distance
as may be chosen; to drop forkful Of
we;l-rotted manurein each intersection,
cover this with soil and set the plant.
A smart planter with hoy to drop the
plants, after some practice. can set out
1000 plants in an hour; by using q
spud or stout. broad chisel. instead
Of the usual round dibble, and thrust
ing the spud into the soil, and pushing
it on one side, opening . space into
which the roots Of the plant ara set,
and then by another thrust of the spud,
or the pressure of the foot, pushing the