SECT. XV. OF ESCULENTS. 



upon bricks. The number generally put under hand- 

 glasses for the winter is from three to five ; and if th 

 glasses are on close for a few days, it will help them 

 to strike. Those drawn from these, make a good suc<- 

 cession crop : But do not prick out, or plant, those 

 that have black shanks, for they will come to nothing * 

 Cauliflowers are liable to this defect chiefly in wet 

 seasons. Slugs are apt to harbour about them, for 

 feeding on the leaves, which see to, especially those 

 in frames, and now and then stir the mould about 

 them. The distance which they should be planted is 

 from two and a half to three feet, according to the 

 richness of the soil. 



If the autumn sown plants are cut off, the earliest 

 opportunity must be taken in the new year to sow 

 some seed on a gentle heat, as in February, covering 

 with glasses, or only with hoops and mats. From 

 this bed, when it is cold, they should be pricked upoii 

 another, where let them grow till planted out to bear. 

 And if those weak ones, that have stood all the 

 winter, were pricked out early in the spring upon a 

 little heat, covered with good mould, it would 

 strengthen and forward them much. In default of 

 dung, sow under a close hand-glass in a warm 

 border. 



To have a succession of cauliflowers till winter, 1 so\v 

 on a slight heat, or under glass, in March, for plants 

 to follow the first crop ; and again in open ground, 

 about the end of April. If winter should overtake 

 some of the latest plants, they may be taken up, 

 when in flower, with a ball of earth, and planted or 

 laid in a conservatory, or a cellar, where they will 

 swell their heads, and be safe for a month, or more. 

 All the succession crops, except the last, should 

 be planted in a cool part of the garden, not 

 shaded. 



