1 88 



GARDEN FARMING 



spring and autumn market, but by far the largest amounts are 

 grown in the autumn. While Long Island undoubtedly still leads 

 all other sections in the production of this crop, extensive areas are 

 grown on irrigated lands in southern California and, to a limited 

 extent, in the Norfolk area of Virginia. 



Soil. Soil for cauliflower should be practically the same as that 

 for early cabbage. A rich, responsive soil which can be cultivated 

 during the cooler seasons of the year is most desirable. Give the 

 land a deep plowing previous to planting, and at that time supply 



FIG. 66. A good type of cauliflower 



all organic fertilizer required. If sufficient stable manure to meet 

 the demands of the crop is not available, supplement it with a com- 

 mercial fertilizer consisting of nitrate of soda, 300 pounds ; cotton- 

 seed meal, 700 pounds; acid phosphate, 750 pounds; and muriate 

 of potash, 250 pounds. Apply this at the rate of 500 pounds to 

 the acre previous to setting the plants in the field. 



Rearing the plants. For an early crop of cauliflower in northern 

 latitudes, it is necessary to start the plants in hotbeds or in green- 

 houses. Transplant the young plants as soon as they have devel- 

 oped true leaves to the length of I inch, giving them about 2 inches 



