CARROT CAULIFLOWER 39 



The Carrot crop is soon injured by autumn frost, therefore those 

 grown in frames from late sowings must be protected as already 

 advised, and the main crop should be lifted and stored in dry earth or 

 sand, the tops being removed and the earth rubbed off, but without 

 any attempt to clean them thoroughly, for that should never be done 

 until they are wanted for use. 



The wire-worm and the Carrot maggot are persistent enemies of 

 this crop. We have little faith in nostrums and specifics ; sound 

 judgment as to the choice of ground, deep digging, and the prepara- 

 tion of the beds in good time, are the preventives of these as of 

 many other garden plagues. It is often observed that main crops 

 sown early in April suffer more than those sown late, and the 

 lesson is plain. It has also been noticed that where the crops have 

 suffered most severely the land was made ready in haste, and the 

 wild birds had no time to purge it of the insects which they daily 

 seek for food. 



CAULIFLOWER 



(Brassica oleracea botrytis cauliflora) 



THIS fine vegetable is managed in much the same way as Broccoli, 

 and it requires similar conditions. But it is less hardy in constitu- 

 tion, more elegant in appearance, more delicate on the table, and 

 needs greater care in cultivation to insure satisfactory results. As 

 regards soil, the Cauliflower will thrive on light land if heavily manured, 

 and a quick growth may be promoted by abundant watering. In 

 Holland, Cauliflowers are grown in sand with water at only the 

 depth of a foot, and the ground is prepared by liberal dressings of 

 cow-manure, which, with the moisture rising from below, promotes a 

 quick growth and a fine quality. In any case, good cultivation is 

 necessary or the crop will be worthless ; and whatever the nature of 

 the soil, it must be well broken up and liberally manured. 



In gardens where Cauliflowers are in great demand, at least three 

 sowings should be made. The first will be in January or February, 

 in pans or boxes on a gentle hot-bed, or in a frame placed in a sunny 

 sheltered corner, and Button's First Crop is best for this sowing. 

 From the pans or boxes the plants should be pricked out early, in a 

 bed prepared in a frame or on a sheltered border made up for the 

 purpose with light rich soil from an old hot-bed. When strong 

 enough, the plants should be finally put out on the best land at com- 



