Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/448

416] appearing to rise immediately out of the ground, from which circumstance it may be cut like grass, and dried in a similar manner for hay. It will also yield oil, far superior to that of cole and poppy seed, and equal to that expressed from olives.

Culture. The different modes of cultivating this plant do not, in general, vary much. The soil best calculated for cauliflowers, is a spot of ground tolerably rich, and well defended from the north, east, and west winds, by hedges, pales or walls, the first of which, especially if constructed with reeds, are most preferable, as they meet the wind, which, by falling on them, cannot reverberate, as is the case with the latter. But, should the soil selected for this purpose, be naturally wet, it will be requisite to raise it up in beds two feet and a half, or three feet broad, and about four inches above the level of the ground. On the contrary, if it be dry, no embankment is necessary.

With respect to the other species of cabbage, with a few exceptions, they delight in situations rich, open, and dry; yet not too much exposed to the inclemencies of our variable climate; care being taken at the same time not to plant them too near, especially when intended for seed; as, independently of their mutually obstructing the growth of their roots, by the commixture of their effluvia, they will produce a mixture of kinds. This is particularly the case with respect to the planting of white and red cabbages together, and of Savoys with either of those species. In fact, it is to this cause we owe the continual importation of fresh seeds from abroad, our gardeners rarely saving any good red cabbage-seed; whereas, if a contrary conduct were pursued, they might continue the species as good in Britain as in any other part of the world.

In whatever light we view this plant, whether as an article of food for man, or as fodder for cattle, it fully merits all the attention, which of late years has been bestowed upon it. It amply repays the care and diligence which the industrious cultivator confers on it, each species being equally fruitful. And it is a fact, though not generally known, but which deserves greater publicity, that when the common garden cabbage is in perfection, and we wish to cut it, if, instead of severing the whole from the stalk, as is usually done, the loaf, or heart only be scooped out, and all the large lower leaves left entire, a young cabbage will, in due time, be produced, superior in flavour, if not equal in size, to that of the first growth.

Upon the whole, from a comparative estimate, and from the concurrent testimony of the most experienced cultivators, it appears that the success of cabbages depends much on their being planted in a rich soil; for, as this plant is extremely vigorous, its roots strike deeply into the ground, so that it is well calculated for improving the fertility of the soil: it demonstrates the advantage of manuring and fallowing, as also the very great profit of applying the best land of a farm to its culture.

From the earliest stage of its growth, the cabbage becomes the prey of a variety of insects, none of which is more formidable than the caterpillar. When young, its principal enemy is the Chrysomela saltatoria, or turnip-fly, and as it approaches nearer to maturity, the Papilio Brassica, or terfly.