148 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. 



earliness, percentage of heads formed, and the character and 

 quality of the heads. 



Nearly all of the earliest varieties produced a high percentage of 

 marketable heads, while the late sorts were anything but satisfac- 

 tory. Of the whole number of varieties grown, sixteen produced 

 more than seventy-five per cent of marketable heads, while with 

 eight varieties every plant produced a good head. Most of the 

 late varieties were checked by the dry weather and showed a 

 tendency to "button," or go to seed. 



The following field notes concerning some of the more important 

 varieties were made : 



Alabaster (Johnson & Stokes). — Said to be a sport from Dwarf 

 Erfurt (see below). A small, early variety, of erect habit, thus 

 permitting of very close planting. 



Autumn Giant (Thorburn). — A very large, late variety of 

 excellent quality. Should not be started so early as most other 

 sorts 



Best Early (Burpee's Best Ear'y, Burpee) — Small, but one of 

 the earliest and surest heading varieties. 



Dwarf Erfurt (Thorburn). — Takes its name from the city of 

 Erfurt, Germany, where cauliflowers are extensively grown. One 

 of the most popular early varieties Several strains were grown 

 the past season, of which the best seemed to be Thorburn's Extra 

 Early. 



Early Danish (Farquhar). — Of the Erfurt type; forming a 

 medium sized head, very firm and good. One of the best. 



Early Paris (Thorburn, Farquhar). — Moderately vigorous, with 

 long stem and of spref^ding habit. Leaves covered with heavy 

 bluish white bloom, giving the variety a characteristic light shade. 

 Heads of fair size but lacking in solidity. 



Giant Purple (Childs). — A large late variety; very attractive 

 when growing and of excellent flavor, but when served its color is 

 objectionable. 



Imperial (Landreth). — A medium sized, pure white variety; of 

 spreading habit, heads not sufficiently firm. 



Kronk's Perfection (Farquhar). — A very fine strain of the Erfurt 

 type. Of medium size, early, uniform, and in our plantation was 

 among the best. 



Landreth First (Landreth). — Of vigorous, erect habit, but hav- 

 ing a short stem. Heads of medium size, white, and rather 

 remarkable for uniformity. One of the best. 



