Cauliflower 1 I.'!:; 



bodies of water. Long Island is particularly well situated, hav- 

 ing the sea air; and Erie County, Niagara and other comities 

 near the Great Lakes have the advantages of these bodies of water. 

 There are also other points in New York, especially along the 

 Hudson, around the Finger Lakes, and near other lakes in the 

 state, which are desirable places to grow iho crop, because they 

 meet the climatic requirements. 



SOIL 



The soil requirements for this crop are good drainage and a 

 liberal, constant supply of moisture. Where moisture is de- 

 ficient, the crop stops growing. Heavy loams are particularly 

 adapted to this crop. On Long Island are found the heavy sandy 

 loams, whereas in Erie County the gravelly and silty loams are 

 used to grow the crop. Cauliflower is adapted to well drained 

 muck and has met with considerable success where grown on this 

 type of soil. 



ROTATION 



Rotation of crops is essential for the best results. Where club 

 root, a disease of the roots, is common, cauliflower and other 

 closely allied plants should be kept away from the soil for at 

 least five years. The rotation on Long Island consists of growing 

 a crop of potatoes or carrots preceding cauliflower and following 

 the cauliflower with corn, rye, wheat or oats. The land may be 

 allowed to stay down one or two years following this in clover or 

 grass. In Erie County and other sections of the state where 

 land is less valuable than on Long Island, a longer rotation is prac- 

 ticed, generally consisting of corn followed by cauliflower, then 

 by grain, then by hay for two or three years or more. The im- 

 portant factor in both of these rotations should be the incorpora- 

 tion of humus in the soil and the avoidance of other cruciferous 

 crops. On Long Island it would be advisable to practice a system 

 of cover crops following potatoes and cauliflower, in order to keep 

 the soil in better physical condition. 



SEED 



Most of the seed now used by cauliflower growers in New York 

 is imported directly or through seed houses from Denmark. 



