THE CABBAGE FAMILY 77 



left upon the stem will probably result in a second crop of 

 sprouts. Frost does not harm Brussels Sprouts. 



There are a number of varieties, old and new, with many 

 selected stocks to be recommended to those who wish to exhibit. 

 In the latter case, the degree of success is determined principally 

 by careful, watchful culture, an intelligent conception of the 

 style of exhibit required, and good staging. 



CAULIFLOWERS and BROCCOLI (Brassica oleracea botrytis). 

 The " flower " of these plants is simply the result of natural 

 efforts at reproduction the ultimate formation of seed. The 

 process, however, is a slow one, and requires warm weather to 

 complete it, which fact is really the raison d'etre of this class 

 of vegetable. Under the cooler weather conditions, that obtain 

 in spring and early summer, Cauliflowers and Broccoli develop 

 a close, compact head of embryo flowers, very small at first, but 

 steadily increasing, until a good-sized mass of succulent growth 

 is formed. This peculiarity has been taken advantage of by 

 cultivators, who, by continual selection and re-selection, have 

 succeeded in developing this trait of the Cauliflower and the 

 Broccoli to the extent that we now see in the very large heads 

 obtainable in our gardens. 



CAULIFLOWERS may be roughly divided into three sections 

 early, mid-season, and late each division signifying the 

 approximate period of maturity ; but the deciding factors are 

 the time and manner of seed-sowing and subsequent good 

 growth. The earlier in the year seeds are sown, the better 

 are the chances of an early crop ; and this early sowing brings 

 glass into indispensable use. Boxes are probably the best 

 receptacles for the seed-bed. These should be partly filled 

 with a rich compost, upon which will rest an inch or so of fairly 

 fine sandy soil wherein the seeds are sown very thinly and 

 the surface pressed down lightly and compactly. Presuming 

 that the soil has been thoroughly moistened, and a sheet of 

 glass placed over the box, there should be no necessity for 

 further moisture until the seeds have sprouted. The time 

 occupied in germination depends on the temperature of the 

 house or frame, but in any case it is not at all long. There is 

 really very little trouble in raising Cauliflower seeds, which may 

 be sown in frames in the autumn or late spring, and in a heated 

 structure from December to March ; it is in the subsequent 

 development of the seedlings that difficulty and danger of 



