The Cow Cabbage Mania of 1836

Before I tell you about the cow cabbage mania of 1836, let me show you what cow cabbage looks like.  This cabbage was grown as animal food, the farmer stripping the lower leaves from the stem for fodder allowing it to keep growing and producing more leaves.  

(above: 1901 - How do you fancy one of these for a stick old chappie?)

Still grown to amazing effect!  Looks like it is a tourist attraction.

All these postcards were 

on eBay on one day.

Great Walking Stick Links:

GardenHistoryGirl  has a beautifully written post on this plants use as sticks;  fun to read!

A Garden of Walking Sticks, 2011–2013; go here...very cool

The Cow Cabbage Mania of 1836

Here is a piece from THE AMERICAN FARMER in 1828...the seed for mania is planted!  The concept of supporting four cows for a year with only 60 square feet of ground was astounding.

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THE COW CABBAGE. The following account of this extraordinary vegetable is extracted from the Gardener's Magazine: -—

"I enclose a few seeds of an arborescent cabbage, introduced from La Vendee, by the celebrated Comte de Puisaye, which promised to be an important acquisition to agriculture. I have seen it growing in the garden of my friend, Admiral Brooking, here, to the height of eight feet. In La Vendee, I am told, it attains an altitude of from 12 to 15 or even more feet. Being a native of a warmer climate, it should be planted in a warm and sheltered situation: sixty plants are said to afford sufficient provender for a cow for a year, and as the side shoots only are used, it lasts four years without fresh planting. A square of 60 feet will contain 246 plants, four feet apart, or 16 more than four cows require for a year's provender, without the aid of other food. W. Hamilton, Oxford Place, Plymouth."

—Mr. William Lee. a native of Leeds, now resident, in France, has brought over a small quantity of the seed of the cow cabbage, which he has distributed to his friends.

1831 - The Southern Agriculturist and Register of Rural Affairs printed this:

I have noticed in the last Free Press and Repository, a communication copied from the New York Farmer, signed by James Timelier, of Plymouth, Mass. on the importance of cultivating what he calls the cow cabbage, or Cesarian Kail, the seed of which was sent by Mr. James Mease. Through the politeness of the Post Master, in Charlestown, I too received, in May, 1829, some of the same kind of cabbage seed (spoken of by Mr Thacher) from Dr. Mease, of Philadelphia.  

The Doctor, in his communication to the Post Master at Charlestown, gave the plant the name of tree cabbage.  Living as I do in a more southern climate, and having been more successful in raising the tree or cow cabbage, than either Mr. Thacher or his neighbour, ‘"who took up his plants in the autumn and put them into his cellar”,  I will, with your permission, make known, through the columns of your paper, the progress I have made in cultivating this new kind of cabbage, called by my old Gardener, "wild cabbage”.

I sowed a few of the seeds in my garden early in May, 1829; they germinated quickly, and produced thirty plants; twenty of these I transplanted in the first week of October following, placing them two and a half feet apart- eight of the plants I did not remove, suffering them to remain the same distance apart of those I transplanted—all remained through the winter without shelter of any kind, and only two stalks killed by the frost.  Those not transplanted were most luxuriant, some of them are at this lime nine or ten feet high—those transplanted are from four to five feet high. 

Dr Thacher speaks of this cabbage being very valuable as provender for cows.  I have not tried it in that way, but think it may answer a good purpose.  I can speak with certainty from experience, and say that it is very valuable for table greens, called in Virginia ' sprouts.' It was ready for use last spring before any other greens—one stalk will produce more than a bushel of sprouts.  

Dr. Thacher speaks of this cabbage living four years. Dr. Mease, when he transmitted the seed, said they would live three years. This is only the second year since those in my garden were planted; they are now loaded with seed, and the stalks appear on the decline. I rather incline to the opinion it will only last two years, but am by no means positive, as there are at this time among those in my garden, many young shoots springing from the roots of the old stock. 

New England farmers are encouraged to cultivating this new article notwithstanding the plants must be kept in a cellar in the winter. I think keeping the plants in a cellar a discouraging business, but here, where they will stand the winter I think it will be found a most valuable plant, and farmers may profit by it—they cannot lose.  

A SUBSCRIBER, Jefferson County, (Va.) July, 1830.

[The expedient of keeping the plants in the cellar during the winter can only be necessary in a cold climate, and upon a small scale they will repay the trouble they thus give.]—Virginia Free Press.

1837 - And now the outrageous claims that fueled the "mania"...

this is a report on the mania a year after it peaked.

From the Farmers' Register:

THE "WATERLOO CAESAREAN EVERGREEN CABBAGE", 

ALIAS COW CABBAGE OF JERSEY.

The Farmer and Gardener of September 13, introduces an account of this cabbage (taken from the last No. of the Horticultural Register of Boston,) in the following manner: 

"We have a few hundred of these plants growing at our little establishment; but as the season has been inauspicious, and they have not had a fair chance for luxuriant growth, we cannot say what may be the result of our experiment. We obtained the seed of Robert Sinclair, Jr. at $5 a pound; those in England are, or were, held at $5 for 20 seed. The next season we shall take time by the forelock, and give the article a more fair and perfect trial. It it should prove by proper test to realize a moiety of what has been said of it, it will certainly produce a new era in agricultural pursuits; but as the venders of the seed of new things are not always the most scrupulous in pronouncing their eulogies on their virtues, time and actual cultivation are necessary in order that their capacities may be properly demonstrated.

In the more southern portions of our country, if this cabbage should prove as valuable as some of its encomiast have stated it to be, it will, indeed, be a blessing. But of its properties after we have had time to form a correct practical opinion, we shall speak more fully."

Though the exaggerations of the English account given in the Horticultural Register, are partly neutralized by the remarks of its conductor(editor), still there is some danger that there may spring up and spread over our land a cow cabbage mania, such as at different times has been excited by millet, Cobbett’s Russian turnips, and Gama Grass. For this reason, as well as for the amusement of our readers, we republish (from the August No. of Loudon's Gardener's Magazine,) this most impudent puff, and shameless yet very successful deception. The nostrums recommended by agricultural quacks and patent venders, like those of the medical quacks, are generally the more successful in proportion to the enormity of the pretension and falsehood.

"An individual in England having shown a specimen of this variety of what is properly a borecole, to Mr. Coke of Holkham, that gentleman expressed surprise at its size, etc.  Advantage was taken of this to pull off, as the phrase is, this vegetable under a new name; viz. the Waterloo Caesarean evergreen cow cabbage, and sell the seed at the rate of a sovereign for a packet containing twenty seeds. The following is an extract from the advertisement:

'Patronized by His Majesty. Wonder ul production of nature! Waterloo Caesarean evergreen cow cabbage, of recent discovery, unequaled in affording the most interesting and desirable results to the farmer, grazier, and manufacturer. This singular and extraordinary species of cabbage, almost unknown in England till introduced by the persevering efforts of Mr. Fullard, three years since, grows from nine to twelve feet high, and from fifteen to twenty feet in circumference.  Five of these stupendous cabbages, now raised to the greatest perfection in quality as well as size, have been repeatedly found, by proper management, an ample allowance of food for one hundred sheep, or ten cows per day; and the nutrition thence supplied by this delicious vegetable will (as experience has already abundantly demonstrated) speedily produce the most surprising improvement in the growth and utility of every description of cattle. As an evidence of the beneficial tendency of this cabbage, Mr. F. has the great pleasure and satisfaction of saying that sheep fed upon it have been found to produce wool of the finest silken texture, twenty-five inches long; a circumstance which cannot fail immediately to claim the utmost attention and admiration: as such, the cultivator of these cabbages will not only realize pecuniary profit beyond any previous experience, but the manufacturer will also obtain a material superior to any heretofore produced by the most profitable speculation, the general and extensive demand for which must exceed all present calculation. The commerce of the, country, as well as the interest and pleasure of the community at large, will likewise be greatly, if not incalculably,  enhanced by the cultivation and use of this improved vegetable production. This Waterloo Caesarean cow cabbage has been pronounced by the father of the agriculturists, whom, from his well known experience, we are all bound to believe, to be the greatest wonder that ever appeared in the vegetable kingdom. It was shown to that very highly esteemed and truly respectable gentleman, T. W. Coke, Esq., Holkham Hall, Norfolk, in October last, when he immediately said—'Mr. Fullard, you told me, three years ago, agriculturists were only halfway advanced in improvement: this cabbage makes me say I am bound to believe you. I do say it is the greatest wonder the earth ever produced.’  Mr. Coke subsequently introduced several dukes and other noblemen to the number of nine, to view this great production, all of whom expressed their astonishment, and engaged a part of the seed for use this year (1836).  These cabbages, if designed for use in the winter season, can, for convenience, as well as advantage to the grower, be then removed from the fields, and will serve to make handsome serpentine walks in gardens; or they will form a most excellent avenue for winter across a field; or, by setting them singly, will make a ground, that has not a tree in it, a park for winter, and may be given to the stock in spring. To obviate skepticism, and to afford the highest satisfaction and confidence as to the perfect rectitude of the statements here given, agriculturists, graziers, and all who feel an interest in the species of produce, are respectfully requested to apply to Mr. _______ , wholesale perfumer, who will, with pleasure, exhibit specimens of the cabbage, and also wool of sheep fed with this vegetable production. Mr.___ is the sole agent in London for the Waterloo Caesarean cow cabbage seed. All purchasers of it are particularly desired to sow it at the proper season (which is in July,) as stated in the directions which accompany the parcels, price 20s. each. The plants of this seed, unlike other vegetable produce for cattle, never fail, either numerically or in quality.  A part of this seed has been engaged by His Majesty, and forwarded to Norfolk Farm, near Windsor, to be sown this season; and the production is already likewise patronized by most of the royal family. The Duke of Wellington, and the following gentlemen, are a few only who have selected the seed for cultivation this year:  the Right Hon. ____ Dymock, Champion of England;  Robert Leeds, Esq, Surrey;  Thomas Back, Esq, Welelsbro’ ;  Joseph Cowen, Esq., Bladenburn; Sir William Folk, Norfolk; R. Preston, Esq., Barrister, Lincoln's Inn; Allington, Esq,, Little Barford, near St.Neots; Edward Lindsell, Esq., Broon. near Biggleswade;  Henry Walker, Esq., Corn Exchange; R. Sutton, Esq Royal Exchange; Jesse, Esq" Hampton Court;Henry Hills, Esq., Allebury; Henry Handley, Esq., M. P., Lincolnshire; Perkins, Esq., proprietor of Islington Market; William Shield, Esq., Lincolnshire; Thomas Hudson, Esq., York; Hern, Esq.,Bury St. Edmonds; Watkin, Esq.,Windsor.  (I got tired of correcting the OCR for these names, so stopped...but they sure are amusing to a Connecticut eye!)

It is desirable to remember, that these sweet vegetables, when boiled, are remarkably tender, and in flavor resemble asparagus. For the table, or culinary purposes, they will ever be highly appreciated. They grow in the form of a cone, and from the thickness of their foliage, and being evergreen, they will be found ornamental to a garden. The plants, after two months growth, (say in September,) require to be set out at the distance of two yards and a half from each other. They will grow on soils of moderate richness; but their greatest perfection will require soil of good quality. At any subsequent period to their being thus transplanted, they may be removed to any other place where convenience or taste may suggest. All letters from the country, requiring a packet of seed to be forwarded, must (to be attended to) contain a sovereign, or an order for the payment in London; and it is requested the name and address, where it is to be sent, be legibly written. Caution :—Any packet sold at a less price than a sovereign, either in town or country, cannot be genuine. Observe, also, upon each packet the circular seal,with this inscription: (not legible)

It is important to observe, that none of the genuine cow cabbage seed will be sold after the month of July, for sowing this year, (1836)

Further Particulars.—In reference to the length of wool produced by sheep fed upon the new colossal vegetable, as described in this prospectus, the proprietor, Mr. Fullard, to prove the fact, has now a lamb-hog, one year old, to be seen at Mr. (X) where T.w. Coke Esq., of Holkham Hall, paid a visit on Tuesday, the I4th instant; and, upon due examination of the said lamb-hog, he declared, in the presence of many witnesses, that he never before saw such a specimen of wool for length and fine quality. Mr. F. has already been awarded nine premiums, by the Agricultural Societies for the superiority of his sheep and other cattle.

(This last paragraph didn't get copied as text...)

The following brief mention is from A History of the Vegetable Kingdom: Embracing Comprehensive Descriptions of the Plants Most Interesting from Their Uses to Man and the Lower Animals; Their Application in the Arts, Manufactures, Medicine, and Domestic Economy; and from Their Beauty Or Peculiarities; Together with the Physiology, Geographical Distribution, and Classification of Plants,  1874

A variety of brassica, under the name of cow cabbage (brassica oleracea, var. arborescens), has been recently introduced into this country from La Vendee by the Comte de Puysage. The proximity of this department to the ancient province of Anjou, and the description of the plant, leave no doubt of its identity with the Anjou cabbage, a very large variety described by Mill.  In 1827 thirty-six seeds were divided among six agriculturists, for the purpose of raising this useful vegetable in England. The perfect success resulting from some of these seeds, which have produced plants of a luxuriant growth, is already known; and horticulture is now so much more disseminated and understood in this country, that there is every reason to hope that the cow cabbage will at length become naturalized in England. It is said that sixty plants afford provender sufficient for one cow during three or four years without fresh planting. A square of sixty feet will contain two hundred and fiftysix plants, four feet apart from each other, sixteen plants more than four cows require for a year's provender without the aid of other food. This plant is now successfully cultivated in Jersey, whence seeds have been sent to a nurseryman in London.