CAULIFLOWER. 59 



of ground called the Jamaica Level, near Deptford, 

 and which produced uncommonly fine heads, but 

 later than those at Millbank. Both soils are nearly 

 similar, being a deep rich loam, on a moist subsoil, 

 and continually enriched with dung. 



Both the varieties are of a delicate nature, being 

 generally too tender to resist the cold of the winter 

 season without the occasional aid of glasses or other 

 means ; and the sight of many acres overspread with 

 such glasses, in, the vicinity of London, gives a 

 stranger a forcible idea of the riches and luxury of 

 the capital. 



Culture. The proper seasons for sowing the 

 seed are, for the early summer crop, between the 

 18th and 24th of August (the early date for the 

 northerly parts of the kingdom). The plants which 

 rise in the same season are to be pricked out, and 

 preserved through the winter under hand-glasses, 

 frames, or other conveniences ; and, being planted 

 out in spring, arrive at perfection the ensuing sum- 

 mer, from May to July and August. For the late 

 summer crop to succeed the above, the seed must 

 be sown in February, or early in March, the plants 

 being set out in May, to come in for use in August 

 and September : and, for the Michaelmas or autumn 

 crop, the sowing should be performed about the 

 middle of May, and the plants, being set out in 

 July, come to perfection gradually in October, but 

 are never so large, white, or perfectly headed, as the 

 summer crops. 



For the purpose of raising cauliflowers in the 

 greatest perfection, a bed of the richest light earth, 

 in a free exposure, is to be prepared at the proper 



