156 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



require the use of straw mats over the sashes, as the 

 plant is much more easily hurt by frost. In fact, it is 

 better never to keep the plants through the winter; those 

 sown in February, and transplanted into cold frames in 

 March, and planted in the open ground in April, as 

 recommended for spring-sown Early Cabbage, being 

 better. The plants, however, must be started early 

 enough, so that they can be set out not later than the 

 middle of April; for if not rooted well before warm 

 weather sets in, they will either "button," (that is, form 

 small, stunted flowers,) or else fail entirely to head up. 

 Cauliflower delights in a cool atmosphere, and never 

 does well when the season is hot and dry, unless complete 

 irrigation can be given when the plant is about half 

 grown. If this can be done the crop is certain. We 

 ourselves grew in this manner nearly an acre for many 

 years, the crop selling for an average of $1,200 per acre 

 annually, and that was before we had introduced the 

 now famous variety known as " Henderson s Early Snow- 

 ball" which is ahead of all other kinds in its certainty to 

 make a crop. The next in succession to this is the 

 " Early Erfurt," which is again succeeded by the "Early 

 Paris," but neither of these in any respect is equal to the 

 " Snowball." For late crop the varieties known as 

 "Algiers" and "Erfurt" are the kinds usually grown. 

 The plants are obtained by sowing at the same dates as 

 for late Cabbages. It is planted three feet each way, and 

 cultivated exactly as late Cabbages, and often sells as 

 high as $25.00 per 100 in November and December. We 

 are of the opinion, however, that the "Snowball," of 

 which twice the number can be grown per acre, will 

 prove a more profitable crop, even for late, than the 

 " Algiers," as it is certainly more certain to form heads. 

 It is not once in twenty years that a variety of vegetables 



