SOWING THE SEED. 27 



fertilizing effect, help to keep the land moist. 

 Where the cabbage maggot is troublesome the use 

 of fresh stable manure is thought to promote the 

 attack of that insect, and therefore only well rotted 

 manure is recommended. Of course a larger amount 

 of manure may be safely applied if it is well rotted 

 than if it is coarse and strawy. Liquid manure is 

 used by many growers, being applied a few weeks 

 before planting, and from time to time during the 

 season. Water-closet contents, diluted or com- 

 posted, and applied either in the liquid or powd- 

 ered form, is one of the best of fertilizers for the 

 cauliflower, but it should not be used too freely, or 

 too late in the season. All coarse or concentrated 

 fertilizers should be applied at least two weeks 

 before the time for transplanting, and such as are 

 applied on the surface should be well mixed with 

 the soil. 



SOWING THE SEED. 



The preparation of the seed-bed will vary accord- 

 ing to circumstances. I formerly grew the plants 

 for the fall crop in beds elevated two or three feet 

 above the ground, in order to escape the flea beetle, 

 but in later years I have grown a portion of the 

 plants in the open ground. This method requires 

 less care, and is now usually practiced by large grow- 

 ers, though it sometimes fails, for the reason stated. 

 Remedies for the flea beetle will be found in another 



