TO GROW CABBAGES.

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1933, Page 18

TO GROW CABBAGES.

SEEDS AND SEEDLING PLANTS

Nearly all members- of the cabbage family may be sown, now in. the open ground. The best place for the seed beds, is a border, which will not be wanted for any other purpose for the next few months, for there . they can remain undisturbed until their permanent quarters are ready for them. They can also more . -conveniently be kept free from weeds, hoed, watered, if necessary, and given any. other, attention they may need. This border should be well away from a hedge and from overhanging trees' (which are harmful to all crops). Tho ground should be 'well dug to a depth of at least a foot,.and if very heavy some lightening. material should be worked into it. If on the poor- side some rotted horse manure or some bonedust could with advantage be added to it, for all .members of tho cabbage family are greedy feeders, even from the start. '"■'■''-, :.::..-.■

The seed may either be sown broadcast .or in drills^ the latter being, by fnrthe better method, as it ..prevents overcrowding, allows the hoe to be brought into use, and simplifies" the lifting of tho plants for- transportation. The seed should be sown thinly about ono inch deep in rows .about a foot apart. The beds may be. protected from birds by means of black cotton stretched across or by placing wirenetting or flight branches over them. Dustings with dry soot, lime, or alum' will keep away slugs and snails.

If tho seedlings corrie up too .thickly they should be-thinned out in tho early stages, any gaps in other places being filled in with those removed. After heavy rains the surface soil may be loosened up with, a hand fork' to assist growth. Watering with 'weak nitrate of.soda will also push .tho plants along, but this, should- not bo done till they have made considerable growth.