THE CULTURE OF GEEEN CROPS. 77 



are strong enough, Red Dutch, or Dwarf Blood Red. 

 Otherwise treat like ordinary cabbage. 



Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis). This is 

 a cultivated variety of the wild cabbage, and is 

 grown for its large metamorphosed flower heads. It 

 is a vegetable of great antiquity, and its origin and 

 distribution are uncertain. The cauliflower succeeds 

 best in a rich loam that is fairly porous, though it 

 can be well grown in most kinds of soil if suitably 

 manured. The least favourable soil for its culture 

 is a heavy wet clay. 



For cauliflowers the soil should be prepared and 

 manured in the same way as outlined for cabbages, 

 and the raising of the plants, transplanting, and 

 general cultural operations are practically the 

 same. 



Times to Sow and Plant. Very early cauli- 

 flowers can be obtained only when cold-frame or 

 glass-house accommodation is available for raising 

 the seedlings and keeping them until it is safe to 

 plant them out, or by purchasing plants, so raised, 

 in spring. Sow seeds, about the second week in 

 August in the north and early in September further 

 south, in a well-prepared seed-bed out of doors ; 

 when the seedlings have made their third leaf, and 

 are growing freely, transplant them into a cold frame, 

 3 to 4 inches apart each way, to stand during win- 

 ter and be planted out in spring. Or, if preferred, 

 sow thinly, broadcast, in the cold frames a fortnight 

 later and allow the plants to stand where sown until 

 planted out in spring. The former method is the 

 better one. In each case select an early variety, 

 such as Early London ; cover with lights at the 



