Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-09
GROWING CABBAGE.
HOW TO Make the crop Profitable
Fertilizer Necdcd

| Fertilizer Needed
| Nhbbage may he considered n vcrv com.
mon Vegetable--but In the list OF those
INTENDED FOR the general market the gar.
oener places It nearly at the head No.
only are the extra early varieties proHt-
ble but the later kinds arc even more
so. for II Mt any time there is a ready
sale the surplus can be made into krau,
II quantity Is at hand. while If there I,
only limited number of heads thev
may With onions, green tomatoes. and
other vegetables suitable for the nure
pose. be utilized for the fancy choppe/
pickle and reiishes which find such Z
ready sale when known TO be home
| made"
| The writer has made barrels and bar.
rcls OF kraut In midsummer which has
kept perfectly by giving extra care. but
| 1t Is much better to invest in n canning
outfit and can the kraut as soon as In
good condition for eating. for then It can
be preserved In the finest shape and the
quality Is assured. OF course tho Gamer
may be utilized for other purposes ALSO
ana when Its merits become universally
known 1t will he considered indispenss-
oie D! every one who can grow a sur
plus OF fruits or vegetables above what
Those who have diflculty In making
caulinower head can grow cabbage near
lily IL not quite in delicacy of flavor ~
the soil is made very loose with we,I.rot.
ted manure and enriched with CONNER
cial fertilizers The looser and richer tina
soil is the more rapid will the growth
be and this insures both tenderness OF
texture and sweet favor az well
| If tho application Of manure has been
pretty heavy thare Is not so much neeI
OF nitrogen In the commercial fertilize,
, used. but as tho growth Of stem and leaf
is what is wanted this element must be
supplied abundantly IN soma form, Be-
tween 1000 and 700 pounds per acre Of
FERTILIZER containing.4 per cent avai1abis
phosphoric acid should be ussd Sill
phate OF potash is usually found 20 be
better than muriate. A fair crop OF cab.
page removes $50 pounds OF nitrogen, 800
pounds Of potash. and $50 pounds Of
phosphoric acid. so even assuming there
Is some potash available in the soil II
Will be seen that It is especially desirable
that plenty OF this element be used.
Even the richest soils. in the best condi-
ton SELDOM contain over 100 pounds Der
aero OF potash available In one year
On worn soils the amount 10, Of COURSE.
less. Unless the cabbage plant has pien.
tyof available potash At the right dina
in It's growth It win lack in siss. flavor,
crispness. and shipping qraiity.
II one prefers to mix his own fertilizer
the equivalent Of a ton Of tho abcva
commercial fertilizer can be made by
mixing rs pounds blood. 775 pounds nj
trate Of sodn. Loo pounds Of Il per cent
acid phosphate. and 100 pounds sulphats
Of potash. II would be better to hold
out the nitrate Of soda and apply It in
two applications. ore about three or four
weeks after the plants are set ont and
the remainder three or four weeks Ia
ter. This will provide a continuous sup-
ply OF nitrogen without danger OF loss
from teaching.
Danish Ballhead is good variety for
market though some gardeners prefer
other varieties Of tho Flat Dutch TYNE
and no one who raises cabbage should
fail to grow few heads at least Of the
Savoy type that the merits or this va
riety FOR home Use may he compared with
the commoner kinds
Whether tho plants are grown at nome
or bought they should be set so carefully
as 10 retard growth as little as possible
II the seed has been rather thinlv sown
and the plants lifted carefully. they may
be separated from each other with lit
tie earth adhering to the roots If the
plant has received a good wetting -
they are then covered and taken to the
patch and set with water to we'll ,noister
the soil in the holes made TO receive The
plants. they will often take hold AMI
show no signs OF whiting. II the sun
should be hot is well to shade tie
plants for a few days until they become
established. and then the shade may b.
removed and the ground cultivated. Tho
subsequent civilizations must be frequent.
not only for the purpose ~ keeping
down weeds. but to conserve moisture
for the cabbage plant is hard drink
Grand cannot make a good head with
out plenty Of water.
II there has beena short period towards
the time Of maturity IN which moisture
has been scanty. growth will come to a
standstill and the head will harden. but
should not be cut. and rain comes abun-
dainty new growth starts the head bursts
and there Is rapid deterioration. AT the
first sign Of this the cabbage should bs
cut at once and sold or made into kraut.
ID. c. Cornman. in urar World