1118 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS kohl-eabi 



flower differs from the Broccoli cliiefly ia 

 being a less hardy plant and in having 

 heads of a more tender and finer flavour. 



These heads consist of abortive flowers 

 placed on short and thickened flower- 

 stems, also aborted, the whole forming a 

 dense white fleecy-looking and succulent 

 mass. 



Soil. — A good rich loamy well-drained 

 soil and a warm sunny and sheltered 

 position are required to grow Cauliflowers 

 to the highest perfection. 



For the autumn crop of Cauliflowers 

 seeds of Walcheren, perhaps the only 

 satisfactory variety for this particular 

 purpose, may be sown out of doors the 

 first week of April. Veitch'a Pearl, 

 Sutton's King, and Veitch's Autumn 

 Giant are also good varieties and will 

 give a succession until Veitch's Autumn 

 Self-protecting BroccoU comes into use. 

 It will therefore be unnecessary to make 

 further sowings. The seedlings from 

 these will be fit for planting out 2 ft. apart 

 each way in well-prepared soil about 

 the middle or end of June according to 

 the season. 



To have Cauliflowers in season about 

 May and June, seeds must be sown in 

 August in the north and not later than 

 the first week in September for the 

 south. "When large enough the young 

 plants may be pricked out into rich soil 

 either in cold frames or in such 

 a position that they can be readily pro- 

 tected during the winter. Except in 

 frosty weather too much light and air can- 

 not be given the plants. A damp and stag- 

 nant atmosphere must be guarded against 

 if the plants are to come through the win- 

 ter safely. They should therefore always 

 be protected from cold drenching rains in 

 winter. From the beginning of March 

 onwards, it the weather is nice and mUd, 

 the plants may be transferred from their 

 winter quarters to the open ground — a 

 south surmy border is best — a few at a 

 time, but they still require protection 

 during cold frosty nights. This protection 

 is best afforded by means of handlights. 

 The latter, however, should never cover 

 the plants in the daytime except 

 during severe frosts, and then a little 

 litter over them may also be needed. 

 Where handlights are not available for 

 shelter, any other receptacle will do at 

 night time, such as a large flower pot 

 with 9, little litter over it, or a wooden 

 box &c. 



When Cauliflowers are required in 

 July and August seeds should be sown in 

 pans or boxes in gentle heat in a hotbed 

 or greenhouse in January or February. 

 The seedlings must be transplanted into 

 a cold frame in rich soil, and maybe kept 

 close for a few days until established. 

 Afterwards on bright mild days they may 

 be given plenty of light and air. By the 

 first week in May and onwards they will 

 be ready for planting in the open ground. 



There are thus three seasons at which 

 Cauliflowers may be sown, viz. : 1. In 

 April to produce heads in autumn. 2. 

 In August to produce heads in May and 

 June after winter protection. 3. In Janu- 

 ary or February on hotbeds, to be trans- 

 planted in May and produce heads in July 

 and August. This gives a fairly long 

 period for the CauUflower to be in use. 



General Treatm,ent. — Little more can 

 be said than what has already appeared 

 for Cabbages. But the more tender 

 nature of Cauliflowers, and their inclina- 

 tion to produce heads prematurely, or 

 ' button ' as gardeners say, especially in 

 dry summers, render it necessary to pay 

 particular attention to drawing the soU 

 up around the young plants, to keep the 

 surface well stirred, not only to destroy 

 weeds but to prevent evaporation. It is 

 also an excellent practice to give liberal 

 and frequent waterings in dry weather, 

 occasionally with liquid manure. 



A disease called 'bUndness' sometimes 

 attacks Cauhflowers raised in spring. 

 This is caused by what is called the 

 ' White Fly,' which cluster on the young 

 heads and destroy them. This danger 

 may be checked by sprinkUng the crowns 

 and leaves vdth soot when damp early in 

 the morning. 



Varieties. — There are comparatively 

 few distinct ones. The best are Early 

 London, Early Snowball, Dwarf Erfurt 

 or Mammoth Eclipse, Veitch's Autumn 

 Giant (for sowing in the open air in 

 April and May), Veitch's Pearl, Sutton's 

 King, and Walcheren. The latter is the 

 latest of all Cauliflowers, and is as often 

 as not grown as a Broccoli. It should be 

 sown in April. 



For diseases &o. see p. 1113. 



KOHL-RABI (Beassica oleeacea 

 Caulo-rapa). — This distinct vegetable is 

 about midway between the Cabbage and 

 Turnip, and its swollen fleshy stem is 

 often used as a substitute for the latter. 



