102 



COOL SEASON VEGETABLES 



very small heads which are picked off and boiled either as a vege- 

 table dish or to accompany meat dishes. The crop matures best in 

 late fall weather. The heads do not form during hot summer. The 

 seed is sown in the open in mid-summer, and the row is marked 

 with a little lime dust as with late crops Of cabbage. The plants 

 may be readily transplanted, and can be started in beds where they 

 are easily watered. As the plants are very tall they are given a lit- 

 tle more space between rows, particularly if horse cultivation is to 

 be used. Two or three feet should be allowed with one or two feet 



Fig. 68. — Heads of cauliflower with medium trim for show in market. (Cornell Station.) 



between plants in the row. The delicious heads are improved in 

 flavor by allowing them to be frosted a few times before harvesting. 



Celery. — This crop thrives best in the cool days of late fall. The 

 plants are readily transplanted, but are very slow to develop. The 

 seeds are difficult to germinate and should be soaked before plant- 

 ing. In the northern states the plants should be ready to trans- 

 plant to the garden by June or earlier, but in southern states trans- 

 planting to the open garden may be done as late as August or Sep- 

 tember. Set the plants six to eight inches apart in rows about four 

 feet apart. Rich black loam is best. An abundance of humus in 

 the soil is of great importance. When the transplanted plants 

 reach a height of three to five inches they are topped by pinching 

 to cause them to become more stocky. They should have frequent 

 watering and frequent tillage. 



The stalks only are palatable when they are thick, crisp and 

 tender. They should be blanched as winter approaches. This is 

 done in several ways. A simple method is to bank up the dirt on 

 both sides against the plants, with the top leaves projecting, (Fig. 

 69). Another method is to set a piece of agricultural tile four 

 inches in diameter around each plant. Another common method 

 is to set a board on edge at each side of the row. (Fig. 70.) These 



