JAN.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 29 



CAULIFLOWER PLANTS. 



Look over, in open weather, the cauliflower plants which were 

 raised and planted in frames last autumn for protection in winter, to 

 plant out in spring for an early summer crop ; and where withered or 

 damaged leaves appear, let them be picked off; suffer no weeds to 

 grow among them, and stir the surface gently between, which will 

 enliven and cherish the plants. 



In open weather let the plants have plenty of air every day, by 

 raising the glasses, or by taking them entirely off when the weather 

 is mild and dry ; but generally continue the glasses over in rainy 

 weather : keep them close down every night, and do not open them 

 at all in severe frosty weather. 



In severe weather cover the glasses every night with mats, straw, 

 or fern, &c., also, if there be occasion, in the day-time, in very rigor- 

 ous frost ; likewise, in such weather, lay some litter round the out- 

 sides of the frame, for this will be very serviceable in preventing the 

 frost from entering at the sides. 



Cauliflowers under hand or bell-glasses must also have air every 

 mild day, by raising the glasses two or three inches on the warmest 

 side j in sharp weather keep them close ; in severe frost lay some litter 

 round, and straw or mats over each glass ; this will protect the plants 

 greatly ; in mild dry weather the glasses may be taken off every day 

 for a few hours ; but they must be kept close every night. 



SOWING CAULIFLOWER SEED. 



Sow cauliflower seed the beginning, middle, or any time this month, 

 to raise plants to succeed those sown in autumn ; or also, in case none 

 were sown at that time for an early summer crop, or that they have 

 been killed by the severity of the winter ; but in order to bring the 

 plants up soon, and forward them in growth, it will be necessary to 

 sow them in a slight hot-bed. Plants sown at this season, if well 

 managed, are to be more depended on for a general crop, than those 

 which were sown in autumn, as they are not so apt to button or run 

 to seed in April or May as the others, and will produce their flowers 

 within ten days as early ; though such of the autumn raised plants 

 as do not button, generally produce larger flowers and earlier. 



Make the bed as directed for cucumbers, in page 21, to about three 

 feet high, which, when settled, will fall to about two feet six inches, 

 and put a frame on ; then lay four or five inches of rich earth over 

 the bed, sow the seed on the surface, but not until the violent heat 

 of the bed is over ; cover it by sifting or otherwise, with light dry 

 earth, about a quarter of an inch deep, and then put on the glasses. 



When the plants appear, let them have air every day that the 

 weather will permit, by raising the upper ends of the lights an inch 

 or two ; and in very mild weather, the lights may be taken off en- 

 tirely for a few hours in the warm part of the day : the plants must 

 not be kept too close, for that would draw them up so weak as to 

 render them of little value ; therefore give them as much air as pos- 

 sible, consistent with their preservation and promotion of growth; 



