GARDEN PRACTICE 191 



with fine, well-rotted manure ; some leaf mold, sand, and a very little ashes is a 

 very valuable addition. Do not sift the dirt nor have it too fine. This seed- 

 bed must be protected from frost and cold rain, as well as cold days and 

 nights, by a cover of grass or muslin; muslin answers every purpose, is 

 cheaper, easier handled, and does not draw the plants up weak and spindling, 

 as glass often does. 



From time to time, if the weather continues cold, throw around the 

 seed-bed fresh horse manure sometimes to the depth of four feet or more, 

 leaving only the front side exposed to the sun. The heat generated and 

 escaping from this manure serves to keep the temperature around the bed 

 several degrees higher than it would have otherwise been. When the plants 

 are two or three inches high, transplant to another rich bed without any 

 bottom heat, set the plants three inches apart and keep covered as little as 

 possible in order to harden them. Be sure to keep both seed-beds always 

 well moistened (not wet), with lukewarm water. A little weak manure 

 water occasionally is very beneficial. 



When the plants are six or seven inches high, transplant to open ground 

 on a cloudy day if possible, or just at night, giving each plant a cup of water. 

 The ground should be prepared in the best possible manner and made very 

 rich with manure thoroughly decomposed. Horse, cow, hog, and chicken 

 manure mixed as good as any. Put the plants three feet (or nearly so) apart, 

 to give plenty of room for cultivation, which should be done once a week at 

 least twice is better, and hoe them often the more the better, especially 

 early in the morning when the ground is wet with dew. Cauliflower must 

 never stop growing or the ground get dry; they must have an abundance of 

 moisture. Run the water down the rows every night if the weather is pretty 

 hot; however, cauliflower succeeds best if fully matured before hot weather 

 sets in, which generally comes early in June. 



When they commence to head, gather the leaves together and tie loosely 

 over the heads; this greatly facilitates blanching, and protects them from 

 getting brown and bitter from the effects of the hot sun. They should 

 be examined often and cut while the head is close and compact, as, after the 

 head opens, it separates into branches, gets coarse, tough, fibrous, strong 

 flavored and consequently almost if not wholly worthless. 



A cauliflower would be an ungrateful thing if it did not grow 

 with Mr. Adams' treatment. But it will grow and grow immensely. 

 Fortunately, it is not necessary in all places to do quite so much 

 work, or field growth for export would languish. If the reader will 

 discern the conditions which Mr. Adams secures he will be profited, 

 for they underlie the success of the plant in all situations. Breaking 

 the tall leaves so that they fall inward and protect the forming head 

 is preferred to tying up, by some growers. This should be done as 

 the head begins to form. The cauliflower must be cut for use or sale 

 before the head begins to spread: it must be white and compact or 

 it is worthless. 



