40 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



mand, and ha've every possible care, the object being to maintain 

 growth from the first without a check, and to keep them clear of 

 weeds and v.ermin. Occasional hoeing between and heavy watering 

 in dry weather will tend materially to their well-doing. If they begin 

 to turn in during very hot weather, snap one of the inner leaves 

 without breaking it off, and bend it over to protect the head. 



The second sowing must be made in April or very early in May. 

 For one main crop the best time to sow is the first week in April, 

 and the seed-bed should be a well -prepared, sheltered border. From 

 this seed-bed the plants should be pricked out once at least, and 

 should be finally planted out in a smallish state, for if they become 

 somewhat large in the seed-bed they will be liable to ' button,' which 

 means that small, worthless heads will be produced as the result of 

 an untimely check. The April sowing will give the least trouble of 

 any, and if the ground is good, the plant from first to last will almost 

 take care of itself, unless the season is very hot and dry, in which 

 case water must be liberally supplied to prevent ' buttoning.' 



The third sowing must be made in August or September, and it 

 is essential where Broccoli cannot be depended on. The exact time 

 is a question of climate. In Cornwall and Devon a good plant is 

 secured by sowing in October, while north of the Trent many 

 gardeners find the first week of August to be none too early. This 

 sowing should never be made under glass, but in a sheltered spot on 

 an open border ; the soil need not be so rich as for a spring sowing, 

 but a poor soil will not do justice to the crop, and if the ground is 

 dry it should be well watered one day before the seed is sown. 

 When the plants have made some progress, prick them out on a good 

 bed of fresh soil in a sunny spot, and then prepare for their wintering. 

 In the neighbourhood of London, Cauliflowers need more care in 

 wintering than in districts that are colder but have a purer air. 

 Hence it is the practice with many to pot them singly in the 6o-size, 

 and store them in frames and cool vineries, and wherever else they 

 can have light and air without heat, and be safe from frost. It must 

 here be remarked, however, that if Cauliflowers are properly managed 

 they will bear a certain amount of frost without material harm, and 

 they may often be found frozen in frames and glasses, and are little 

 the worse for it in the end. Much may be done by the use of hand 

 glasses, the plants being planted out on well-drained ground in 

 clumps for convenience in covering them. Near London they are 

 usually put into their winter quarters by the middle of October, and 

 pot culture in frames has in great part superseded the use of hand- 



