CAULIFLOWER 193 



be transplanted to stand 2 by 2 inches in a cold frame covered 

 with glazed hotbed sash, with shutters or mats for protection dur- 

 ing any weather that might injure the plants. 



The crop should be transplanted to the field at any favorable 

 time late in February or early in March, and the plants set 

 1 8 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. Just before the plants are 

 set in the field the soil should be enriched with a chemical fertilizer 

 carrying about 7 per cent of nitrogen, one half of which should 

 be derived from nitrate of soda. The fertilizer should be worked 

 into the soil along the line of the rows in which the plants are 

 to be placed, at the rate of 15 pounds to 100 yards. After the 

 seedlings have been transplanted, they should be given a side 

 dressing of this same fertilizer, 15 pounds to 100 yards of row, 

 at two succeeding ten-day intervals, with frequent cultivation. 



The crop matures and is harvested during May. The heads are 

 cut with a rim of leaves attached. The leaves are not trimmed, as 

 is the usual method with this crop, but are folded over the curd 

 and packed in half-barrel hampers, from 15 to 18 heads being 

 considered a good pack from this section. 



Forcing cauliflower. As soon as cold weather has ended the 

 field cultivation of cauliflower, a coolhouse, with solid benches 

 similar to those in a modern lettuce house, should be available. 

 The plants should be made to grow vigorously throughout their 

 whole life, a necessary procedure with field plants, but doubly 

 essential with house-grown stock. 



Only the best seed of special forcing strains should be used for 

 forcing purposes. The plants can be set from 9 to 1 5 inches apart 

 in the benches, according to the size of head desired. If an " indi- 

 vidual portion " is desired, plant 9 inches each way ; if a 6-inch 

 curd is desired, plant 1 5 inches apart. No lopping or tying will be 

 required. The temperature of the house should be about the same 

 as for lettuce, 45 F. at night and from 60 to 65 F. during the 

 day, and a high degree of humidity should be maintained. The soil 

 should never be soggy, but should be kept wet enough to fur- 

 nish a continuous supply of moisture for the plants. An abun- 

 dance of moisture is essential, but excessive moisture is as harmful 

 to this as to other crops. It is, of course, necessary to keep the 

 plants free from insects. 



