258 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 
make its growth during the spring months; as a late 
crop it may make most of its growth durmg the fall 
months. 
The heads of cauliflower must be protected from the sun. 
This is accomplished by tying some of the leaves above 
the heads while the plants are dry and free from insects. 
Soil. The soil must be rich and moist. Land that has 
been made by overflowing streams will produce large 
heads. Spade or plow the soil to a depth of at least 
eight inches. In the spring give it a very heavy coating 
of stable manure. 
Starting plants. For the early crop start seeds in win- 
dow boxes or hotbeds a month before the plants are 
needed. For late varieties sow seeds in seed beds in 
May or June. 
Transplanting. When the second leaf appears, seed- 
lings that have been started in boxes should be trans- 
planted to other boxes. Set them two inches apart each 
way. Plants that have been started in outdoor seed beds 
may be set in a permanent place in the garden. Trans- 
plant the same as cabbage. Set the plants from eighteen 
inches to two feet apart, depending upon the variety, 
in rows two feet apart. 
Culture. Keep stirring the surface soil, to retain mois- 
ture. One or two dressings of nitrate of soda raked in 
while the plants are young will increase the yield. When 
the plants are ready to form heads, a coating of about 
two inches of coarse stable manure will help to keep the 
soil moist. 
