26 THE CAULIFLOWER. 



such a soil the plants are apt to be small and late. 

 In a warm climate a heavier soil is required than 

 in a cool one. The ground should, if possible, be 

 fresh sod-land (preferably pasture) or at most one 

 year removed from the sod. It is unsafe to plant 

 cauliflowers after cauliflowers, or any other plant 

 of the cabbage tribe, though it is sometimes suc- 

 cessfully done. Newly cleared land, or land fresh 

 from the sod, is even more desirable for cauliflowers 

 than for cabbages. On new land the crop is not 

 only less subject to disease and the attacks of in- 

 sects, but its growth is likely to be more satisfactory, 

 even without manure, or with only a moderate 

 amount, than it is on old land, however well ma- 

 nured. 



FERTILIZERS. 



The cauliflower is a gross feeder, and land in- 

 tended for this crop can hardly be made too rich. 

 Barn-yard manure is usually employed, and there 

 is nothing better for general use. Commercial fer- 

 tilizers potash, soda and phosphates are also 

 good, especially to promote heading. The wild 

 plant from which the cauliflower is derived being a 

 native of the sea- shore, common salt seems par- 

 ticularly adapted to it. Kelp, or sea-weed, is used 

 with advantage where it can be obtained. 



If barn-yard manure is not too coarse, plowing 

 it under in moderate amount will, in addition to its 



