CAULIFLOWER 243 
dom appear on cauliflower grown in greenhouses, but 
steam sterilization of the soil is a safe precaution. 
Frame culture.—Cauliflower is a popular frame crop in 
some sections. It may be intercropped with lettuce and 
radishes. See page 399 for further data on the culture of 
this crop in coldframes. 
Head protection.—Unless the heads or curds of cauli- 
flower are protected, they will not be pure white in color 
when ready for market. Uncovered or unprotected 
heads are yellowish in appearance and cannot be sold at 
as high prices as pure white heads. Again, snowy white 
heads are said to be more tender in texture and finer in 
quality. 
Various methods are used to protect the heads when 
the crop is grown out of doors. Among them may be 
mentioned tying the leaves together over the heads with 
strings or small bands of rye straw; folding or breaking 
the leaves over the heads and securing them with tooth- 
picks, or “tucking” them in an ingenious way so that 
they will remain in place. Although any of the plans 
used in field culture may be employed under glass, 
several thicknesses of brown paper placed over the heads 
will be found more satisfactory. This matter should 
have attention when the heads are about 2 inches in 
diameter. It is a simple matter to lift the paper to deter- 
mine when the heads are ready for market. 
Marketing.—Cauliflower should be harvested before 
the heads begin to break or become warty. Early mar- 
ketir’, .s essential from the standpoint of quality as well 
as appearance. Heads which are only 3 inches in di- 
ameter are marketable, but larger sizes command better 
prices. Under the most favorable cultural conditions, 
most of the heads should be 5 to 7 inches in diameter, 
especially if superior strains of seed have been used. 
The utmost care should be exercised in cutting and 
handling the crop to protect the heads, which are ex- 
