42 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



King of Cauliflowers, Walcheren, and Autumn Mammoth may be sown 

 for succession in April and May, and it is a question if any more are 

 wanted. 



The management of the crop has been treated so far as to growth, 

 but we must now say a word about its appropriation. The two 

 points for practical consideration are, how to economise a glut, and 

 how to avoid destruction by frost. Cauliflowers should be cut at 

 daybreak, or as soon after as possible, and should be taken from the 

 ground with the dew upon them. If cut after the dew has evaporated 

 from them, the quality will be some degrees inferior to that of those 

 cut at the dawn of the day. When the heads appear at too rapid a 

 rate for immediate consumption, draw the plants, allowing the earth 

 to remain attached to the roots, and suspend them head downwards 

 in a cool, dark, dry place, and every evening give them a light shower 

 of water from a syringe. The deterioration will be but trifling, and 

 the gain may be considerable, but if left to battle with a burning sun 

 the Cauliflowers will certainly be the worse for it. After being kept 

 in this way for a week, they will still be good, although, like other 

 preserved vegetables, they will not be so good as those freshly cut 

 and in their prime. It often happens that frost occurs before the 

 crop is finished. A similar plan of preserving those that are turning 

 in may be adopted, but it is better to bury them in sand in a shed or 

 under a wall, and, if kept dry, they may remain good for a month or 

 more. 



CELERY 



(Apium graveolens) 



CELERY may be regarded as in fair favour with all mankind, and this 

 renders it unnecessary for us to speak in its favour, as in the case 

 of some other vegetables we have felt bound to do. The crop requires 

 the very best of cultivation, but care should be taken not to push the 

 growth too far, for the gigantic Celery shown by members of Celery 

 clubs has, generally speaking, the quality of size only, being tough 

 and tasteless. Nevertheless, the sorts that are held in favour by 

 growers of prize Celery are good in themselves when grown to a 

 moderate size ; it is the forcing system alone that deprives them of 

 flavour. Yet another precaution may be needful to prevent a mis- 

 hap. In a hot summer, Celery will sometimes ' bolt ' or run up to 

 flower, in which case it is worthless. This may be the fault of the 



