14 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



them oub in a bed of soil six inches apart. This latter plan is the 

 best, as the plants have more room to grow, and their roots do not 

 get so much cramped as those in pots. AVhichever method is prac- 

 tised, the work should be done not later than the first week in 

 December. If planted out in the soil in the frames, a depth of six 

 inches will be required, and this should rest on something porous 

 and open, such as long dry litter, or any refuse from the garden that 

 would afford drainage without fermenting. A depth of teo to twelve 

 inches will suffice. If the plants are in pots, they must stand upon 

 a hard, dry surface, only be watered when they are dry, and in every 

 case to be protected from severe frost, with the soil about them occa- 

 sionally stirred up, and all decaying leaves picked off. They must 

 have all the air it is possible to give them, both night and day, when 

 it is not actually freezing; in this position they must remain till the 

 middle, and in severe weather until the end, of March. 



To secure a few earlier hearts than the foregoing practice admits 

 of, they are generally planted five or six plants m a hand light about 

 the beginning of December, in some warm spot in the garden ; when 

 these are well attended to, and protected from frost, they come in 

 admirably for an early crop at a season of the year when they are 

 most Avanted. They require the same attention as those in the 

 frames ; in fact, these hand-lights might be made, if they are suffi- 

 cient in number, to winter enough plants for a small garden, by 

 placing them much thicker, and removing from each light all but 

 three or four plants in the spring ; those left not being disturbed. 

 "With the continued shelter of the lights, these will be far in advance 

 of those planted out in the open quarters. 



When they are removed to their permanent quarters, it should be 

 done with great care, as many of the roots as possible, and a ball of 

 soil, should be removed with them. Choose a still warm day, and if 

 cold winds or frosts occur, place an empty eight-inch flower-pot over 

 each, but remove again on the first break of the weather ; the alleys 

 between the asparagus beds answer admirably as sheltered spots 

 for single rows if previously manured and dug up. The plants should 

 stand two feet six- inches from each other if they are expected to be 

 fine. As soon as the roots begin to work in the new soil, draw some 

 earth up round the stems. This will assist them to endure high 

 winds without being blown about. No plant shows gratitude so 

 soon for copious doses of sewage water as the cauliflower. The 

 cultivator will, therefore, find it to his advantage to supply it 

 liberally. 



For this early crop I find the best variety to be the Earhj London 

 White. Por the summer crops the Stadtliolder is the best ; it is an 

 early hearter, and very neat in its habit, and altogether a very de- 

 sirable kind. This should be sown with the Walclieren hroccoU in 

 April or early in May. It will then come into use before it. The 

 manner of sowing and pricking out is just the same as detailed 

 above, but when planted out will do very well at two feet apart each 

 way. If large heads are wanted, the Asiatic is a strong grower, 

 and in a rich soil with plenty of rcom it may be grown to a great 

 size. 



