506 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [OCT. 



Cauliflowers. 



The cauliflower plants are to be treated in every respect as di- 

 rected for cabbage plants, with this difference, that as they are 

 somewhat more tender, they will require the protection and advan- 

 tage of glasses and a good substantial covering to defend them from 

 severe frosts ; though in mild winters they, with due care, will 

 survive under the protection of garden frames covered with boards 

 and mats. 



As the cauliflower plants advance in growth, it will be proper to 

 strew between them some dry tan, saw-dust, or chaff, so as to cover 

 the stems completely up to the leaves, this will afford great protec- 

 tion to those parts which are always found to be the most vulnerable 

 to frost, &c. 



If you find that in consequence of ?.n unfavourable season, or of 

 your not sowing the cauliflower seed in due time, the plants to be 

 rather backward, you should prick them from the seed-bed on a 

 slight hot-bed to promote their growth, but in this case you must 

 be particularly attentive to give them plenty of air, that the plants 

 may be stout and hardy on the approach of severe weather. 



You should carefully protect the cauliflower plants from exces- 

 sive heavy rains, especially when the nights get pretty cold, for 

 such are very injurious to them and frequently cause their stems 

 to turn black, which always proves destructive. 



In the southern states where the winters are mild, and where it 

 is difficult to have good cauliflowers, except they can be obtained 

 at an early season, before the great summer heat sets in, which is 

 very inimical to those plants, the only sure way of obtaining them 

 in the best perfection is, to be provided with a sufficient number of 

 bell or hand glasses, under which to plant them out finally about 

 the latter end of this month* 



The ground for this early crop should be very rich, tolerably 

 light, in a warm situation, and where water is not apt to stand in 

 winter. The ground is to be previously well manured with old 

 hot-bed or other well rotted dung, and then dug one good spade 

 deep at least, breaking it effectually and incorporating the dung 

 well therewith. 



Then lay it out into beds three feet wide, and allow alleys a foot 

 wide between them, for the conveniency of going in to take off, 

 put on, or raise the glasses, 8cc. stretch your line along the middle 

 of the bed, from one end to the other, and at every three feet and a 

 half, mark the places for the glasses, and for each, put in three, 

 four, or more plants, according to the size of the glasses, and within 

 about six inches of one another ; close the earth well about their 

 roots and stems, and give them a moderate watering. When the 

 whole are planted set on your glasses, observing to place one over 

 every patch of plants as above. 



The glasses are to be kept close down for about eight days till 

 the plants have taken fresh root and begin to grow, when they are 

 to be raised on one side and supported with pieces of wood, stone, 



