CAULIFLOWERS 105 



early " or " mid-season," and " late/' From the 

 intensive cultivator's point of view the tender and 

 half-hardy varieties are most valuable, as they come 

 to maturity at a season when prices are generally 

 high, and when the produce itself is most appreciated. 



EARLY CROPS or " PRIMEURS." Amongst the 

 " tender " Cauliflowers the following varieties are 

 considered best for 

 " primeurs " or early 

 crops, viz. : 



1. Express, con- 

 sidered to be the 

 earliest Cauliflower of 

 all, with short stems. 



2. D w ar f Ear ly 

 Erfurt (nain hdtif 

 d' Erfurt), a very early 

 variety well suited for 

 frame culture (fig. 28). 



3. Early Paris (tendre 



de Paris or Petit Salomon), a good variety for spring 

 crops. 



4. Early Snowball (Boule de neige), one of the 

 best for frames, especially in favoured localities. 



SECOND EARLY CROPS. The varieties of Cauliflower 

 best suited to follow the above are 



1. Lenormand, short-stalked, a fine summer Cauli- 

 flower highly favoured by Parisian market-gardeners. 

 It has a very short stem, large firm head of great 

 purity, and keeps a long time (fig. 29). 



2. Second Early Paris (Demi-dur de Paris, or Gros 

 Salomon). This variety is highly esteemed for spring 



FIG. 28. DWARF EARLY ERFURT 

 CAULIFLOWER. 



