MAY] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 385 



EARLY CAULIFLOWERS. 



The early cauliflower plants, as they advance in growth, should 

 have the earth drawn up about their stems, and in dry weather be 

 occasionally watered, which will cause the heads to grow to a much 

 greater size than they otherwise would. 



Towards the latter end of the month the plants will begin to show 

 their flowers, when they should frequently be looked over ; and as 

 these appear in an advanced growth, not before, let some of the 

 largest leaves be broke down over them to defend them from sun 

 and wet, whereby they will be preserved in their natural color, firm- 

 ness, and beauty; for, if left fully exposed to the weather, it would 

 change their peculiar whiteness to a yellowish hue, and occasion them 

 to open sooner than if treated in this manner. 



PLANTING CAULIFLOWERS. 



The plants from the late spring sowings should now, according as 

 they arrive at a sufficient size, be planted out as directed on page 329. 

 Very few of these will produce flowers till October, but then you 

 may expect some fine heads. 



SOWING CAULIFLOWER SEED. 



You may now sow cauliflower seed for a late crop. Should the 

 plants from this sowing not produce heads before November, they are 

 then to be taken up and managed as directed in that month, by which 

 meaEte they will continue to produce fine flowers all winter, when 

 such will be very acceptable. 



CABBAGES. 



Draw earth about the stems of your early cabbages, and all others 

 that are advanced in growth ; this will strengthen them considerably, 

 and cause them to produce fine large heads. 



The earliest will, towards the middle or latter part of this month, 

 begin to form their heads, when they may be greatly forwarded in 

 their whitening by tying their leaves together. For this purpose, 

 get some strong bass or small osier twigs, go over the plants row by 

 row, and tie such as begin to turn their leaves inward for heading, 

 first gathering all the leaves up regularly. Do not, however, bind 

 them too close, for that would occasion their rotting. 



This method may be practised with a few early plants, but by no 

 means with the principal crop, as those treated in that way never 

 produce such large and firm heads as they would if left to nature. 

 However, market-gardeners may derive some advantage from it, as 

 the early produce will always command the highest price. 



Continue to plant out your spring cabbage-plants for autumn and 

 winter use agreeably to the directions given on page 331. Plant also 

 at this time a full crop of red-pickling cabbage and savoys. All 

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