The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-07-02
THE CABBAGE FAMILY
AND ITS CULTIVATION
Good Soil and Tillsge Are Both Neees-
sary, Says Expert.


Many years ago, writes an expert
cabbage grower in the Country Gentle
man, | began growing all the cabbage
family for market or for home use.
have grown nearly all varieties. have
tried many methods OF culture. and
have learned that there are a few es-
sentials that must be complied with 10
attain the best success The needs of
the whole family cabbages. cauli-
flower. kale. Brussels sprouts and broc-
coli-are so nearly alike that when
we have made conditions right for
growing one we can grow them all
The old family garden is not the best
place for growing cahbages. because
the soil IS infested with the germs
from which develops club-rOot often
II is only by applying large quantities
of lime and solutions containing poi
sons around the plant that any good
heads can be grown. The farmer can
most easily grow good cabbages. He
can top-dress heavily a piece OF sod
ground (clover sod is besD perhaps
when he is manuring his corn ground.
prepare the soil by blowing early in
spring narrowing several times. until
time for planting corn. then set the
cabbages. and cultivate with horse and
cultivator.
think most people will succeed bet
ter IL they SOW plants out of doors in a
seed-bed for most Of the crop. As soon
as the ground is ready 20 work select
piece OF mellow soil only fairly rich.
where cabbages have not been grown
for several years. Spade II and rake
il down finely. then mark IL OF in lit
tie burrows an inch deep and twelve
inches apart and SOW seed rather thin
ly. tread them in IL soil is dry. then
cover by drawing the back OF the rake
over the burrows. Cultivate the bed
occasionally until the plants are three
or four inches high or until the last or
May or the first Of June when they
should be ready for transplanting A
rather short. stocky plant. grown out
of doors. which has had plenty of
room. is much better than most plants
grown under glass. have found that
IL requires so much work TO grow
plants under glass or in the house. and
transplant and harden. that / would
not do II unless growing for an early
market
For family use the best cabbage I
know Of is the Savoy strain. This has
more loose leaves than other cabbages.
but IL will make a head OF fair size.
and the quality is the best. The dark
green, curled or wrinkled leaves are
ornamental. and even the outside
leaves are 50 tender that they may be
cooked and eaten. ! would add only
one other cabbage TO my list for home
use ~ the Early Winningstadt - for
both early and late. The high-priced
strains OF caulifower seed are very
much alike II one buys low-priced
seed the heads may not be so white or
go well bred up for earliness and uni
formity. The standard varieties OF
kale and Brussels sprouts are all good
Broccoli is so similar 10 cauliflower
that few care TO bother with Il. al
though II is harder and more easily
grown in some localities. Collards.
another Of the family. Is mostly grown
in the South.
The conditions OF soil I have de.
ecribed are the most ideal for all varie-
ties. but If were compelled TO plant
in an old garden instead OF on fresh
soil ! should want 10 apply lime 10
part of IL. after taking of an early
crop. as peas or lettuce. seed in July
10 clover Gin my locality and so pre-
pare the soil for cabbage next year
The main essential in transplanting Is
20 put the plants down TO the first leaf
and press the soil firmly around it
with the feet
One can hardly cultivate cabbages
too often, but | do little hand-hoeing
The fine-tooth horse cultivator and gar
den wheel hoe do the work rapidly and
well. Caulifiowers especially should
be kept growing. ] would set them on
the best part Of the ground. where the
soil is deepest and richest II the sea
son was dry | would try TO prevent a
check in their growth by placing a
mulch Of manure between the rows in
July. This is a good thing to do for
all the cabbage family. and generally
insures a good crop. Brussels sprouts
are less commonly grown in the farm.
er's garden. but their culture is the
same as for cabbages. only do not give
them over-rich soil. orthey may mostly
run TO stems. Kale. or German greens.
a non-heading cabbage. is very easily
grown. and is appreciated most by
those who like boiled dinners.