THE CAULIFLOWER 63 



an early supply by sowing in the autumn has much 

 to recommend it if the plants can be housed under 

 glass, but severe winters are fatal in many parts of 

 the kingdom. Several years ago Cauliflowers were 

 grown well in turf pits about three feet deep made 

 in the autumn with walls of freshly cut turf. They 

 were covered in severe weather with thatched hurdles. 

 As glass erections are now common, Cauliflowers are 

 often placed in cold frames and planted out in March. 

 Another way is to pot up in small pots in October, 

 and winter under glass and plant out. In sheltered 

 gardens those placed under south walls or given hand- 

 glass protection are valuable, where they pass through 

 the winter satisfactorily. Cauliflowers were also planted 

 under good-sized hand-glasses in October, from nine 

 to twelve under each, and early in the spring all were 

 lifted except the four corner ones over which the 

 glass still remained. Those lifted were planted for a 

 succession on a south border and in rich soil. The 

 seed is usually sown in August or September, and in 

 dry seasons the bed must be well watered to assist 

 germination. 



With the introduction, however, of such first 

 crop varieties as Forerunner and Early Forcing, it 

 is not so necessary to sow in autumn, as seed of these 

 varieties sown in heat in January, and the seedlings 

 pricked out in boxes or in a warm frame will provide 

 excellent heads by the end of May. Of course, the 

 plants raised in heat will need more protection when 

 planted out, but harden them well previously by giv- 



