230 OF ESCULENTS. SECT. XV. 



Cauliflowers require a rich soil, and to be kept 

 moist during summer, especially when flowering, wa- 

 tering them well twice or thrice a week. If the water 

 were impregnated with sheep or other dung, to the 

 strength of about an ounce of salt to a gallon of 

 water* it would help them in size, for cauliflowers 

 are greedy feeders. The ground in which they grow 

 can hardly be too full of dung; nor need there be 

 any fear as to making them rank: a little salt thrown 

 in the water, is, however, cleaner, and does away the 

 idea of rankness. When they are watered, the earth 

 may be drawn from the steins, and put to again. As 

 soon as the head appears, break down one or two of 

 the middle leaves over them to protect from the wea- 

 ther: It preserves them white and cool, and en- 

 creases the size. This should be particularly prac- 

 ticed with Autumn heads, lest wet or frost spoil the 

 flower. 



CELERY we have three or four sorts of, as the 

 common Italian upright ; both hollow and solid, 

 with the giant, hollow, and turnip rooted, or cekriac. 



For early celery, sow in the last week of February, 

 or first in March, on a gentle hot bed, or in a warm 

 rich border, under a hand-glass, or not. When cul- 

 tivated so early, it is apt to run, but if only a few 

 plants stand tolerably, it is worth while to try, and 

 even when in a pipy state it does for soups. Sow 

 thin, cover so, and keep the earth moist; for the 

 seed is slow in coming tip if the weather prove 

 dry. 



For the principal crop, sow at Mid-March, and a 

 late one again at Mid- April. 



A little seed may be sown at the beginning or even 

 latter end of May ; and if the ground is covered 

 with a mat, it will help the seed to germinate, by 

 keeping the earth cool, and from a drying air : but 



