Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/447

Rh were completely formed, by cutting down the red and leaving the other for seed. This variety is particularly useful in the feeding of cows or ewes; as it affords an increase of milk, far superior to that produced by turnips: and is equally excellent for the fattening of cattle, which it does six weeks sooner than any odier vegetables. Although these plants are generally supposed to impart a disagreeable flavour to butter and cheese made from the milk of cows fed upon them, yet this may be easily prevented, either by putting one gallon of boiling water to six gallons of milk, when it is exposed in the leads; or by dissolving one ounce of nitre in a quart of spring-water, and mixing about a quarter of a pint of it with ten or twelve gallons of milk, when warm from the cow. By breaking off the loose leaves, and giving only the sound heart to the cows, this disagreeable quality may also be obviated; as other cattle will eat the leaves without injury.

6. The muralis, or wall-cabbage, which is usually found on old walls and rubbish. This plant is a native of Britain; all its parts are considerably acrid, and have a rank, disagreeable smell: it is, therefore, never cultivated.

7. The Alpina, or Savoy. This is an exotic, and is chiefly propagated for winter use; being generally preferred when nipped by the frost. It is sown towards the latter end of April, and the culture of it varies but little from that pursued with respect to the common white cabbage; the only difference being, that the latter species may be set more closely together than the former; for, if planted in close places, it is subjed to be almost consumed by caterpillars or other vermin.

8. The Monensis, or Isle-of-Man Cabbage, which grows in a sandy soil, on sea shores, particularly in the north-western parts of Britain. This plant differs little from the Brassica muralis, as it appears to correspond exactly with some specimens in the possession of Dr. . Like the latter, it is not cultivated.

To these species may be added the Scotch cabbage, so denominated from being more particularly cultivated in Scotland, where it constitutes a very considerable article of food for cattle. The variety introduced into England a few years since, is the green Scotch cabbage, which will grow extremely well on moor-lands, and, if cut just before the frost sets in, and hung up under cover, forms a food so peculiarly agreeable to cattle, that, when once they have tasted it, they will rarely relish any other.

There is another species of the Brassica, denominated the mowing cabbage (choux à foucher). It appears to be a native of Germany, but has been cultivated with considerable success in France, both as a pulse for mankind, being free from the bitter herbaceous taste of the other cabbages, and as a fodder, equally good and abundant for cattle. This plant is reared from seed, and will admit of being cut four, five, or six times in the year it is sown; after which it is left for the winter. In the month of February it shoots forth, when its leaves may be cut again; in April it begins to grow up, and produces stalks and seed, which may be gathered in June. During the first year of its growth, this plant does not send forth any stalks; its leaves appearing