METHOD OF HARVESTING. 409 



of preparation, transplanting, &c. Before leaving it for 

 the winter, it is desirable to see that "grips" or surface 

 drains are opened to take off any excess of rain that may 

 fall and not pass through the soil, as if the water lies 

 any time on the plants they are sure to die off, and thus 

 reduce the produce of the crop. 



In the early spring the same operation of hoeing and 

 spading takes place, and as the season advances, the 

 young plants commence to throw up their seed stems, 

 when they should receive their last spading, and be 

 carefully earthed up, the mould being drawn round the 

 roots and stems, so as to give them greater firmness in 

 the soil, and enable them to carry large branching heads. 

 The flowering generally takes place early in July, and 

 as soon as that process is completed, the crop is ready for 

 harvesting, which should be commenced as soon as any 

 of the heads are ready for cutting. The operation is a 

 somewhat tedious one, as the heads mature very irregu- 

 larly, and the plants have to be gone over singly many 

 times until all their produce is matured. When this is 

 accomplished, the stems should be pulled up, and burned in 

 small heaps on the ground, the ashes being distributed 

 carefully over the surface. The heads are cut off with a 

 sharp knife used for the purpose, with the stalk about 

 9 inches long ; great care is needed, so as not to injure 

 them, and thick gloves are worn by the men as a pro- 

 tection to their hands. When cut, as a rule, they should 

 be always carried home, and placed under cover at night, 

 as even the dews, frequently very heavy at that season 

 of the year, are liable to injure them. If, however, the 

 season be early, and the weather be very dry, they are 

 sometimes tied together in small bunches, and left hang- 

 ing on the standing plants for a day or two to harden and 

 dry. Every advantage should be taken of sunshine and 

 dry weather to expose them as much as possible, and great 



