SEPT.] . THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 473 



Solving Cauliflower Seed. 



The critical period, in the middle states, for sowing cauliflower 

 seed, is between the twentieth and twenty eighth of this month ; 

 if sown earlier the plants would be very subject to button (as the 

 gardeners term it) or flower in April or early in May, which flow- 

 ers seldom exceed the size of a common button, and thereby the 

 hopes and expectations of the cultivator is lost. 



I would recommend to sow the seed at three different periods, 

 say the 20, 24, and 28th of this month ; for each sowing let a small 

 spot of rich ground be neatly dug, mark out the bed three and a 

 half feet wide, and immediately sow the seed and rake it in care- 

 fully ; or you may first rake the bed smooth, and with the back of 

 the rake push the loose mould evenly off the surface, for near 

 half an inch deep into the alleys, one half to each side, then sow the 

 seed, and with a spade or shovel cast this shoved off loose earth 

 over it, about a quarter of an inch deep, or a little better: arid finish 

 by picking off the lumps or small stones with your hand, or draw- 

 ing them off neatly and lightly with the rake ; or you may sow 

 the seed on the smooth raked surface, and sift over it about a quar- 

 ter of an inch of light earth. 



Should the weather prove dry, water the bed both before and af- 

 ter the plants are up, and in a month after sowing, they must be 

 transplanted into beds of good rich earth covered with garden 

 frames, at the distance of three inches from one another, there to 

 remain during winter, -and to be taken care of as directed in the fol- 

 lowing months. 



In the southern states, the most forward of these, may be finally 

 planted out in November, as directed in page 306, and covered 

 with bell or hand glasses during winter, but in the middle, or eastern 

 states this practice will not succeed, on account of the severity of 

 the weather at that season. 



If the plants should happen to be late and of a weakly growth, 

 when you are planting them into frames in the latter end of Octo- 

 ber, let a trench be dug about ten inches deep, in a dry, warm, and 

 well sheltered situation, the breadth of a frame and the length of 

 one, two, or more, according to the quantity of plants ; then fill it 

 in with new horse dung to the height of eighteen inches from the 

 bottom, and set on the frame ; earth the bed over five or six inches 

 deep with rich earth, and set the plants in rows three inches apart 

 every way, immediately give them a moderate watering and place 

 on the glasses ; observing to leave them open about four or five 

 inches at top, that the steam may pass away. 



It will also be proper to lay a mat over the glasses in sunny 

 weather, till the plants have taken fresh root ; after which the lights 

 must be totally taken off by day, till the weather becomes too se- 

 vere, and every advantage must subsequently be taken to give the 

 plants as much air as possible, consistent with their preservation. 



The plants with the assistance of this slight bottom heat, will 

 soon tuke root, and be greatly forwarded thereby, so as to acquire 



3 p 





