38 THE CAULIFLOWER. 



as sometimes recommended and practiced abroad, 

 is unnecessary, though with tall growing varieties 

 it serves a useful purpose in preventing the plants 

 being blown over by the wind. Cultivation should 

 continue until the leaves are so large that they are 

 liable to be broken ofP, or' until the plants are 

 nearly ready to head. The application of a mulch 

 of manure or litter at the time cultivation ceases, is 

 an excellent practice, though seldom resorted to. 

 It is important that deep cultivation should cease 

 at the right time, even if the hoe has to be used 

 afterward. The crop may be seriously injured, or 

 at least delayed, by cultivation after the plants be- 

 gin to head. At this time the ground should be 

 undisturbed so that the roots may occupy the entire 

 soil. Dry weather, and the compact nature of the 

 «oil after cultivation ceases, check the growth of the 

 plants, and promote the formation of heads, pro- 

 viding the plants have attained a proper age and 

 size. The influence of a firm soil in promoting 

 heading is also seen in the success with which cauli- 

 flowers can frequently be grown after peas or other 

 ■early crops. In autumn the first sharp frosts ap- 

 pear to be particularly efficacious in starting the 

 plants to heading. 



IEEICtATION. 



After heading has commenced . is the time when 

 irrigation is most needed. An abundance of water 



