230 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



quires spring planting the reason for failure is generally 

 to be seen in the hard, dry ground on which the plants 

 strive in vain to answer the grower 's expectations. 



Soil. Like the cabbage, the cauliflower likes good, rich 

 soil and plenty of water; coarse, long manure answers the 

 purpose of a fertilizer very well if the soil is heavy; if 

 applied on the surface, either on light or heavy soil, it 

 keeps the ground loose and the water soaks through, and 

 thus the soil is always moist. 



Situation. The cauliflower is less hardy than the cab- 

 bage, and where there is a choice of situations in the gar- 

 den, it should be given, for winter growing, the one which 

 is warmer and more protected. It also resents heat which 

 a cabbage will endure, and for summer growing will be 

 benefited by partial shade. 



Growing Plants. There is a wide difference in practice 

 in different regions. On irrigated ground in the foothills 

 seed is sown in the open ground in June or July, by making 

 the soil as fine as possible ; sow the seeds and cover with 

 a slight coat of well-rotted manure ; keep well wet down. 

 This prevents drying out and hardening of the ground and 

 the plants come along finely. Similar practice is followed 

 in regions of little frost in other parts of the State at dif- 

 ferent times from July to September, for winter cutting. 

 As Eastern shipments of cauliflower continue from De- 

 cember through the winter, early growth of plants is 

 necessary, and the fall weather is so warm that the seed- 

 bed only needs a little sunshading and ample moisture. 



In colder parts of the. State, as for example in small val- 

 leys liable to sharp frosts, some seasons favor fall-grown 

 plants, others do not, and though it is always advisable 

 to have them for small plantings by those who delight in 

 taking the chances on early things, January or February 

 planting in a hot-bed for spring and summer growth must 

 be the main practice. Hot-bed plants should be grown at 

 rather a low temperature and transplanted to a cold-frame 

 or other place under some cover to harden before plant- 

 ing out. Young plants must not be so wet as to "damp 



