VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AXD CULTURE. 307 



pale-green leaves, surrounding a mass or head of white 

 flower buds — in short, " a giant rose wrapped in a green 

 surtout," but much more like a mass of fresh curds than 

 a rose. Since its introduction, it has been much improved 

 by the skill of the gardener. The seed is generally im- 

 ported from Europe. 



There are several varieties, of which Early Erfurt and 

 Snowball are the best. 



Cauliflower requires the same manures as cabbage. 

 There is much less difficulty in its cultivation near the 

 sea shore than inland. The ground should receive a dress- 

 ing of common salt. 



Culture. — Cauliflowers are sown at two periods for the 

 early and late crop. For the former sow early in Septem- 

 ber thinly in drills six inches apart, in rich, light soil, and 

 if the ground is too dry and hot, water the seed in the 

 drill before covering; cover with fine, light soil, and shade 

 with a mat until the seeds are just beginning to come up 

 (not longer). When the plants are three inches high, in 

 the colder localities, they are taken up carefully and pot- 

 ted singly in small pots, three in a pot where the quart 

 size is used. Instead of potting, they may be set out in 

 a cold frame or pit four inches asunder, to remain until 

 spring opens, giving them meanwhile all the air the 

 weather will admit to harden them. They will stand light 

 frosts without injury. As early as safe, remove the sashes 

 entirely a few days, take them up from the bed with a 

 transplanter with balls of earth, or, if in pots, divide the 

 ball carefully if it contains more than one plant, and set 

 them out in very rich ground twenty by twenty-four 

 inches apart, inserting their stems in the earth nearly to 

 the first pair of leaves. Shield them with plant protectors 

 from heavy frosts. 



In milder localities, as the coast and middle section of 

 the more Southern States, the plants, when taken up, are 



