262 THE GARDENER. [June 



found the last week of August quite early enough. It will depend 

 entirely on the character of the season which of these two sowings may 

 prove the most desirable from which to choose the main stock of plants 

 for wintering in the best condition as to size and hardiness. Some 

 seasons the earlier sowing may be found too large for wintering in 

 frames, and in such cases the propriety of a second sowing becomes 

 apparent. 



Choice should be made of an open airy situation on which to sow 

 the seed. The soil should if possible be moderately light, rich, and 

 well pulverised. The seed should be sown thinly, so that the crop of 

 young plants may not become crowded and weakly. If thick, and the 

 season prove wet, mildew is very apt to destroy them. Should the 

 weather and ground be dry, the seed should be steeped in water for 

 twelve hours, and the ground well watered the night before it is sown. 

 This secures a quick and healthy germination without resorting to the 

 undesirable practice of watering the soil after the seed is sown. Many 

 objections might be urged against watering seed-beds in hot dry weather, 

 with the view of promoting germination and healthy growth. The 

 action and reaction caused by such a practice in some cases destroys 

 the seed altogether, and the surface of the soil gets consolidated and 

 caked over. By soaking the seeds and bed before sowing, and then 

 shading it from the hot sun, a healthy germination is promoted with 

 very little trouble. 



As has already been remarked, the earliest Cauliflowers of the next 

 season are produced from these autumn sowings ; and as soon as they 

 are ready to transplant, a border with a due south and sheltered expos- 

 ure should be got ready for them. As earliness is the chief object, the 

 soil should not be heavy nor damp. A good dressing of thoroughlj'^-rotted 

 manure should be trenched or dug deeply into it, and every spadeful 

 of the soil should be well pulverised. Hand-glasses should then be 

 placed on the soil thus prepared at about 2 feet apart one way, and 2J 

 feet the other. The most stocky and healthy plants that can be selected 

 are planted five in each glass, one in each corner, and one in the 

 centre. Although four or five plants is the number to be brought to 

 maturity in these glasses, no harm results from putting a few more 

 into each with the view of transplanting them in spring. This, where 

 framing is scarce, is often practised. Care, however, must be taken 

 that they do not get crowded, or injury to the whole will be the result, 

 and the transplanting of the superfluous stock should be done before 

 rapid growth commences. When planted and watered, the light should 

 be put over them, but not closely, and a slight shading afforded for a 

 few hours in the middle of the day if the weather be hot. After they 

 take with the ground, it must be kept in mind that the more exposed 



