412 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



than a foot apart, since if every alternate cabbage is cut, those 

 that remain will be two feet asunder, and will have ample space in 

 which to develop. The plants should be placed hi the rows, each 

 at a distance of a foot from its neighbour. 



The method of planting with the aid of the dibbler is depicted 

 in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the diagram. First, a hole should be 

 made with the dibbler ; next the cabbage plant must be placed 

 in the cavity and held hi position with the left hand ; with the 

 right hand thrust the dibbler in the ground two or three inches 

 behind the plant, and lever it towards the cabbage, so as to 

 fill the hole with soil, and the operation is practically complete. 

 Firm planting is essential, and to make assurance doubly sure it 

 will be advisable to press the soil down hard round the collar of 

 the plant with the fingers, so as to make it tight and secure. 



If it be found necessary to plant in dry weather, straight, 

 shallow drills should be drawn with a hoe and the soil be well 

 moistened before planting takes place. 



CAULIFLOWER. The cauliflower requires somewhat similar 

 culture to that recommended for cabbages, with this difference, 

 that it is much more susceptible to frost. Its season is from June 

 to November. Like the cabbage it demands very generous 

 treatment and will not succeed unless it be grown on deeply 

 cultivated and well-manured soil. For outdoor culture in which 

 no effort is made to afford protection by glass, the seed should 

 be sown hi April or May. Where a supply of heat is available, 

 the seed can be sown during autumn and the production of good 

 heads be hastened on. Another method is to sow the seed in a 

 sheltered bed in August, to transfer the seedlings to a bed of fine 

 soil under a frame as soon as possible and to grow them on steadily 

 until the spring, when they may be planted out of doors. Under 

 glass the young plants should be at least six inches apart, and 

 when they are transferred to their permanent quarters out of 

 doors a distance of two feet asunder will not be found too great. 

 During the growing period watering will be necessary in dry 

 weather, while frequent applications of liquid manure will be found 

 helpful in the production of large hearts. Three of the best 



