GROW YOUR OWN CABBAGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 916, 8 March 1930, Page 28

GROW YOUR OWN CABBAGES

Seed sown now will produce cabbages when vegetables are scarce, and if care is taken in the preparing of the seed bed, and attention to a few details, good sturdy plants will be the result. Select an open position, where the hot winds will not catch them. Thoroughly dig up the ground in as rough a state as possible, give a good dressing of lime and thoroughly soak the ground. When the moisture has penetrated and the top begins to dry out, rake down fine and firm the ground. Sow the seed in drills thinly, making the drills a foot apart, as the hoe can be kept going, and they are easily weeded after the seed is sown; scatter some very fine well-rotted manure over the surface of the bed, as this keeps the moisture in better and prevents the soil caking on top. The seed will germinate in a few days, and when through, dust them with lime to keep the fly away. This is best done in the early morning, when moist with de-w, which helps the lime to adhere better. When preparing the seed bed, also prepare the plot they are to occupy. Thoroughly dig over the ground and give a heavy dressing of manure. Cab bages are gross feeders. Plant out in permanent positions, when four or five leaves have formed, selecting a showery day if possible, even if raining hard, give each plant a watering with a can to settle the soil round the roots, when they soon establish themselves, keep the hoe and watering going, and watch for any punctures in the leaves. Plant in rows 18 inches to 24 inches apart, and about 15 inches to 18 inches from each plant, according to variety.