CAULIFLOWER 243 



dom appear on cauliflower grown in greenhouses, but 

 steam sterilization of the soil is a safe precaution. 



Frame culture. Cauliflower is a popular frame crop in 

 some sections. It may be intercropped with lettuce and 

 radishes. See page 399 for further data on the culture of 

 this crop in coldframes. 



Head protection. Unless the heads or curds of cauli- 

 flower are protected, they will not be pure white in color 

 when ready for market. Uncovered or unprotected 

 heads are yellowish in appearance and cannot be sold at 

 as high prices as pure white heads. Again, snowy white 

 heads are said to be more tender in texture and finer in 

 quality. 



Various methods are used to protect the heads when 

 the crop is grown out of doors. Among them may be 

 mentioned tying the leaves together over the heads with 

 strings or small bands of rye straw ; folding or breaking 

 the leaves over the heads and securing them with tooth- 

 picks, or "tucking" them in an ingenious way so that 

 they will remain in place. Although any of the plans 

 used in field culture may be employed under glass, 

 several thicknesses of brown paper placed over the heads 

 will be found more satisfactory. This matter should 

 have attention when the heads are about 2 inches in 

 diameter. It is a simple matter to lift the paper to deter- 

 mine when the heads are ready for market. 



Marketing. Cauliflower should be harvested before 

 the hea^s begin to break or become warty. Early mar- 

 keting ^ essential from the standpoint of quality as well 

 as appearance. Heads which are only 3 inches in di- 

 ameter are marketable, but larger sizes command better 

 prices. Under the most favorable cultural conditions, 

 most of the heads should be 5 to 7 inches in diameter, 

 especially if superior strains of seed have been used. 



The utmost care should be exercised in cutting and 

 handling the crop .to protect the heads, which are ex^ 



