The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 45

_To raise Seed._--At the time of harvesting, select a few of the most compact and best-formed heads possessing the characters of the pure variety; and, in the following April, set the plants entire, three feet apart in each direction. As they progress in growth, remove all of the side-shoots, and encourage the main sprout, that will push up through the centre of the head. Seeds from the side-shoots, as well as those produced from decapitated stems, are of little value. No cabbage-seed is really reliable that is not obtained from firm and symmetrical heads; and seed thus cultivated for a few successive seasons will produce plants, ninety per cent of which will yield well-formed and good-sized cabbages.

American-grown seed is generally considered superior to that of foreign growth; and, when it can be obtained from a reliable seedsman or seeds-grower, the purchaser should not be induced by the difference in price to select the nominally cheaper, as there are few vegetables with which the character of the seed is of greater importance.

_Varieties._--The varieties are numerous, and the distinction, in many instances, well-defined and permanent. Between some of the sorts, however, the variations are slight, and comparatively unimportant.

ATKINS'S MATCHLESS. _M'Int._

This is a variety of the Early York: the head, however, is smaller and more conical, and the leaves are more wrinkled,--somewhat similar to those of the Savoys. It is of tender texture and delicate flavor; and, with the exception of its smaller size, is considered equal, if not superior, to the last-named variety.

It is comparatively a recent sort, and seems to be desirable rather for its precocity and excellent quality than for its size or productiveness.

Transplant to rows fifteen inches apart, and twelve inches asunder in the rows.

BARNES'S EARLY.

Barnes's Early Dwarf.

This variety, in respect to season, size, form, and general habit, seems to be intermediate between, or a hybrid from, the York and Ox-heart.

Head ovate, rather compact; texture fine and tender; flavor mild and good.

Set in rows two feet apart, and eighteen inches apart in the rows.

BERGEN DRUMHEAD.

Large Bergen. Great American. Quintal. _Vil._ Large German Drumhead.

Head remarkably large, round, flattened at the top, compact; the leaves are of a peculiar, glaucous-green color, of thick texture, firm, and rather erect; the nerves large and prominent; the outer leaves of the head are usually revoluted on the borders; the loose leaves are numerous, and rarely rise above a level with the summit of the head; the stalk is short.

The Bergen Drumhead is one of the largest and latest of all the cabbages; and, when not fully perfected before being harvested, has the reputation, if reset in earth in the cellar, of heading, and increasing in size, during winter. It is a popular market sort; and, notwithstanding its extraordinary proportions, is tender, well flavored, and of more than average quality for family use. The plants should be set three feet apart.

CHAMPION OF AMERICA.

One of the largest of the recently introduced sorts; the whole plant sometimes attaining a weight of forty pounds and upwards. Head very large, flattened, somewhat resembling the Drumheads; outer leaves very few, succulent, and tender; stalk short; quality tender, mild, and well flavored. As a market variety, it has few, if any, superiors. It heads with great uniformity, and bears transportation well; but its large size is objectionable when required for the use of families numbering but few members.

EARLY BATTERSEA. _Thomp._

Dwarf Battersea. Early Dwarf Battersea.

The type of the Early Battersea is very old. When fully grown, the four outside or lower leaves are about sixteen inches in diameter; and, when taken off and spread out, their general outline is nearly circular. The stem is dwarfish, and the leaf-stalks come out quite close to each other; so that scarcely any portion of the stem is to be seen between them. The whole cabbage measures about three feet in circ.u.mference. The heart is shortly conical, with a broad base; near which it is about two feet in circ.u.mference, when divested of the outside leaves. The ribs boil tender.

It is one of the best sorts for the general crop of early cabbages; is not liable to crack; and, when cut close to the stem, often puts forth a number of fresh heads, of fair size and good quality.

EARLY CORNISH.

Penton. Paignton. Pentonville.

This is an intermediate sort, both in respect to size and season; and is said to derive its name from a village in Devons.h.i.+re, Eng., where it has been cultivated for ages. The head is of full medium size, somewhat conical in form, and moderately firm and solid. The outside leaves are rather numerous, long, and of a pale or yellowish green color. Its texture is fine and tender, and its flavor mild and agreeable. It is three or four weeks later than the Early York.

If reset in spring, this variety, like the Yanack, will send out from the stalk abundant tender sprouts, which will supply the table with the best of coleworts, or greens, for several weeks of the early part of the season.

The plants are somewhat leafy and spreading, and require full the average s.p.a.ce. The rows should be two and a half or three feet apart, and the distance between the plants in the rows full two feet.

EARLY DRUMHEAD.

This is an intermediate variety, about the size of the Early York, and a little later. The head is round, flattened a little at the top, firm and well formed, tender in texture, and well flavored.

It is a good sort for the garden, as it heads well, occupies but little s.p.a.ce in cultivation, and comes to the table immediately after the earlier sorts.

The plants should be set in rows two feet apart, and eighteen inches apart in the rows.

EARLY DUTCH TWIST. _M'Int._

An excellent cabbage of the smallest size. It is very early and delicate, and may be planted almost as close together as a crop of cabbage-lettuce.

The first sowing should be made early; afterwards, sowings should be made at intervals of two or three weeks, which will secure for the table a constant supply of fresh and tender heads from July till winter.

EARLY HOPE.

A rather small, solid, oval-headed, early sort, nearly of the season of the Early York. Its color is bright-green, and its leaves rather erect and firm. In quality, it is not unlike the Small Early Ox-heart, and requires the same s.p.a.ce in cultivation.

The variety is comparatively new; and, though found on the catalogues of seedsmen, is little disseminated.

EARLY LOW DUTCH.

Early Dutch Drumhead.

This well-known and standard variety has a round, medium-sized, solid head, sometimes tinted with brown at its top. The outside and loose leaves are few in number, large, rounded, clasping, blistered, and of a glaucous-green color; the ribs and nerves are small; the stalk is thick and short. It is rather early, tender, and of good quality; heads well; and is one of the best sorts for growing in a small garden for early table use. The plants should be allowed a s.p.a.ce of two feet and a half between the rows, and nearly two feet in the rows.

EARLY NONPAREIL.

Head of medium size, bright-green, rather ovoid or egg-shaped, solid; the leaves are generally erect, roundish, concave, and of thick, firm texture; the stalk is comparatively short, and the spare leaves few in number; flavor mild and pleasant. By some, it is considered the best of the intermediate varieties.

In many respects, it resembles the Small Ox-heart.

EARLY SUGAR-LOAF.

The color of this variety, and the form of its head, distinguish it from all others. The plant, when well developed, has an appearance not unlike some of the varieties of Cos lettuces; the head being round and full at the top, and tapering thence to the base, forming a tolerably regular, inverted cone. The leaves are erect, of a peculiar ashy or bluish-green hue, spoon-shaped, and clasp or cove over and around the head in the manner of a hood or cowl.