Cabbage

Bra ica oleracea. Biennial herb of the Mustard family, native of the seashores of Europe; cultivated and brought into many forms as a garden vegetable. It is grown in field culture only in the vicinity of large towns, or occasionally by farmers as a cattle food. The seeds are sown in a seedbed early in May, and transplanted to the field in June or July, preferably in moist, mellow, rich soil. Subsequent cultivation is given by horse and hoe to keep the land clear of weeds till the plants cover the ground. The cabbage-worm ( Pieris rape ), a great enemy to its culture, may be kept in check by the application of pyrethrum powder, either dry or in solution. It has marked antiscorbutic properties, and is largely used as a food, but of no great value, as it contains about 94 per cent of water. It is very indigestible when cooked, but le so when raw. The Kerguelen's Land Cabbage, Pringlea antiscorbutic a, is a plant of the same family. acro expanded white wings. Male of rapæ has one, female two spots on upper side of fore wings; in pro to dice male has three, and female several, irregular spots. Tips of fore wings are black. Eggs laid under-side leaf; larva is green, with yellow stripes on back and spots on sides. These caterpillars are destroyed by the larvæ of the Ichneumon-fly, which deposits its eggs in the caterpillars. Use pyrethrum, air slaked lime, arsenites, (3) Cabbage-maggot ( Anthomyia bra ica ); very small larva of a small fly; infests crown or roots. Use sulphur and fertilize with kainite. (4) Cabbage-moth ( Plusia bra ica ); infests also turnips, tomatoes, clover, lettuce, etc. Larva differs from that of (2) in being largest posteriorly and looping. Adult is dark gray, nocturnal, with silvery spot near middle of forewings. Eggs laid in clusters on leaves. Use kerosene emulsion. IMG:content-0661.png:[graphic] etc. IMG:content-0662.png:[blocks in formation]