THE CAULIFLOWER. 143 



Small, like the Utrecht Red, but of a still deeper superfine 

 color. When pickled, however, the dark color- 



ing matter is greatly discharged, so that the 

 substance is left paler than that of others originally not so 

 dark. It is, therefore, not so good for pickling as other 

 sorts which retain their color and brightness. 



A small but fine dark-red cabbage. 



THE CAULIFLOWER. 



Brassica oleracea var. 



The Cauliflower, like the Broccoli, is strictly an annual 

 plant, as it blossoms and perfects its seed the year in which 

 it is sown. When fully grown, or in flower, it is about four 

 feet in height, and, in character and general appearance, is 

 similar to the Cabbage or Broccoli at a like stage of 

 growth. 



The seeds resemble those of the Cabbage in size, form, 

 and color, although not generally so uniformly plump and 

 fair. From ten to twelve thousand are contained in an 

 ounce, and they retain their germinative properties five 

 years. 



Soil. The Cauliflower, like the Cabbage, requires a 

 deep, rich soil, and seldom succeeds well when grown on 

 land long under cultivation. Applications of lime and sul- 

 phur have a, beneficial effect, not only in preventing the 

 ravages of insects, but in promoting the growth of the 

 plants. The best fertilizers appear to be those of a saline 

 character ; and excellent Cauliflowers have been produced by 

 liberal applications of kelp and sea-weed. 



Sowing and Culture. The seed may be sown in a hot- 

 bed in March, at the same time and in the same manner as 

 early cabbages, and the plants set in the open ground late 



