VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 51 



Varieties. 



Veitch's Autumn Giant is undoubtedly the chief variety grown. It is a 

 late variety, with a long stem and large undulating dark leaves. The head ie 

 large, very white, and well covered by inner leases. 



Dwarf Erfurt (also known as Early Erfurt or White Queen) is an early 

 variety, and is practically the only variety grown by the Long Island (U.S.A.) 

 growers. It is a plant of medium size, producing a fairly large, solid, heavy 

 head of good shape. 



Snowball. This variety is a good early sort, and is much favoured in the 

 Goulburn district. It is a little earlier than Dwarf Erfurt, but not equal to 

 it in quality. 



Early London. A fairly early variety, grown largely in the metropolitan 

 gardens. 



Diseases and Pests. 



In general, cauliflowers are subject to the same attacks as cabbage (for 

 list see page 47). 



CELERY. 



Celery is best suited to the cooler districts, where it is possible to i>row 

 two crops in the year. Good results are also obtained in the warmer areas, 

 but in these parts it requires to be planted so that the main growth is made 

 during the cooler months. In the tableland districts, hot-beds are necessary 

 in raising seedlings for the spring planting ; for summer planting the seed 

 can be sown in the open. 



The crop requires the richest of soil, not only in mineral plant-foods, but 

 also in organic matter. In the United States of America, where thousands 

 of acres are planted with this vegetable, peaty swamps are drained and used 

 extensively for the purpose. In ordinary garden soils it will be found 

 necessary to trench and apply liberally large quantities of compost (decayed 

 leaves ; sod, &c.) and stable manure. On heavy clay soils it is useless to 

 attempt the culture of this crop unless previously drained, or the raised bed 

 system adopted. On newly-drained swamp lands and also on clay soils, a 

 dressing of lime at the rate of 1 ton to the acre is beneficial. This appli- 

 cation should be made some months previous to the planting. 



The usual method of planting is to sow the seed in seed-boxes, where the 

 plants are allowed to grow until they attain a height of 3 or 4 inches. The 

 tops should be then clipped back an operation again repeated at a later date r 

 to produce strong, stocky plants. At transplanting it is advisable to 

 shorten the root growth. 



The seed is extremely fine, and takes a considerable time (usually about a 

 fortnight) to germinate. From three to four months are required from the 

 time the seed is sown until the plants are ready to transplant. 



There are several methods of field culture, namely, trench, level, and level 

 beds or new celery culture. The main difference in these systems is the 

 method of blanching the crop. 



