Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-08-31
Cabbage Growing.

The growing of cabbage is fast passing
from the truck gardener to the farmer,
or rather, cabbages are now raised on so
large scale, that they may be called a
farm crop as much as potatoes As land
becomes more valuable near the large
cities, the growing of cabbages will be
more and more done by farmers AL
ready they are shipped hundreds of miles
by rail
Where winter cabbages are raised for
market, the soft heads and outside
leaves may be used for fodder for stock,
so there is no waste. Large quantities
are used every year for sour kraut.
1t is the custom for some of the most
successful strawberry growers to turn
the vines under as soon as the crop is
harvested, and set out cabbage plants.
The favOrite varieties and the time of
planting vary considerably in different
sections. Premium Flat Dutch, Bridge
port, Fottlers, and Short-siem Drum
head are largely planted in this section.
The usual time of planting these varie
ties for late fall and winter use, ranges
from the goth of June until the 10th of
July. Much, however, depends on the
land and season. When the soil and
preparation are all that could be desired,
these varieties can be frequently planted
until the goth of July, and occasionally
until the 1st Of August.
In raising cabbages as a farm crop,
you can use the land from which you have
taken crop Of early potatoes or rye, if
made rich by the free use of manure.
We know one grower who puts them
on land from which he has taken straw
berries; the fertilizer he uses is forty
loads of barn-yard manure and seventy
five bushels of wood ashes to the acre.
For late fall or winter cabbageS, the
plants are set in rows three feet apart
each way. This requires 1910 plants for
an acre. The lard is marked out with
common marker both ways, the plants
are dropped where the two rows cross,
and a careful man sets them out. They
are set deep enough so that the lower
leaves stand level with the surface. The
great point is to press the soil firmly
around the roots and not merely around
the upper part Of the stem. A good man
ought to set out two acres a day. But,
of course, much depends on the condi-
ton of the land. On thoroughly pre-
pared mellow, moist soil, it is easier to
set out two acres. than half an acre on
dry, lumpy, hard land.
1t is good plan before setting out the
plants, to drop a tablespoonful Of COM
mercial fertilizer or handful of pulver-
lied hen manure where each plant is 10
be set
The after management Of the crop con-
slsts merely in keeping the land clean
and mellow by constant use of the cul-
tivator and hoe. Simple as this is, 1t is
where many cabbage growers fail. In
two or three days after the cabbage
plants are set out, it is we'll to run a cul-
tivator between the rows, and follow
with hoe and break the crust round the
wilted plants and draw little fine fresh
soil round them. If any of the plants
are dead, set out others in their place.
In two or three days cultivate again,
and keep on cultivating until the cab
bage leaves cover the ground. 1t is one
of the great secrets of success. Ashes
thrown upon the plants will keep # the
most common insect enemy.-Farn,
Field aud .St0ckmun.