The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-03-04
FARMER PLANTER.
ON THE TRUCK FARM.
Early Cabbage as n Money Crop For
the Southern Truck
Farmer.

Snug sums of money have been made
by men who understand the successful
growing and marketing of a cror Of
early cabbage.
The home grown is preferreI in
northern markets to that which is
shipped from the south, therefore spe
cial efforts should be made to produce
this vegetable not only as early as JOS
sible. but to regard quality as well.
The cabbage being a succulent pant
of heavy growth, an abundance OF
moisture is required. although good
drainage must be given. The plants
are hardy and easy to row and sue
coed upon all soils. where good f~ertili-
Zation is given, but should not be grown
two successive years upon the same
sell. because it is liable to become in
tested with diseases and insects which
are peculiar to this crop.
Newly plowod lover sod, reclaimed
swamps or sell upon which some heav-
ily fortified crops wee grown the
previous year are excellent.
Two varieties which have proved
mos satisfactory for an extra early
crop. are Early Jersey Wakefield and
Early Winningstadt.
The former natures in from ninety
to II hundred days from the time of
sowing the seed and has medium sized
pointed heads, white and of fine quail
ty.
Early Winniu gStealt also has point
ed heads and is considered by some TO
be first in quality and I believe is best
| for Tho homo &C rip1 Thflph with rs
not maturing so quickly as Jersey
Wakefield.
The seed should be sown about five
or six weeks before tine for planting
in the field, either in u seed bed in
green houses, q hot bed or a shallow
box IL the kitchen window. Plant the
seed in rows about three-Quarters OF
an inch apart, aHd only four or five
seeds to the inch. Cover. about one
quarter inch deep. and press the soil
which should be a good loan, down
firmly.
Do not allow his seed bed to become
too dry, nor keep too wet.
Gradually expose the young plants
to out door weather, 10 harden them,
and when the frost is IL OF the ground
ciN ~ i SSttl- l.. t1Itf may uS
set in the field. The plants should be
placed 81 inches apart III rows which
should be 80 inches apart to admit of
horse cultivation.
in transplanting care should be tax
en- thar the fire roots are not broken:
a cloudy day should be chosen for the
work. The plants should be well
mojstened and it is wise to keep & wet
cloth owe. them that there may be no
danger from drying. If the soil is at
all dry after the hole is made about
O~ne-1uarter pint OF water should be
poured in and the plant Immediately
set up to the first leaves. packing the
wet soil firmly ard covering with dry
earth to prevent evaporation.
Unless the soil is made especially
rich the best OF cultivation will not
give success.
lhlrty-one tons Of cabbage per acre
removes from the soil $50 pounds OF
nitrogen, 800 pounds Of potash and $50
pounds Of phOsphOric acid, hence the
need OF heavy fertilization is apparent.
II yard manure can be obtained from
81 to 100 tons per acre, supplemented
by a good dressing Of potash in the
torn OF sulphate is none too much. In
the absence of n the best of re-
sul.s OF a mineral fertilizer contain
ing,
Nitrogen, 4 per cent.
InCs. Acid, s per cent.
Potash (Sulphate fOr1n), II per cent.
have been knOWn. One thousand or L.
300 pounds per acre s not too much.
After growth Of the .EOung plants has
begun q top dressing OF 100 pounds per
acre Of nitrate OF sod should he made,
and again after the hea Is begin to form
that the growth may be continuous and
rapid.
From 500 TO 81 900 has been re
ceived from a fine crop Ct extra early
CABBAGE upon one aCre.-FcrmerS'
Home journal.