1434 The Vegetable Industry in Xew York State 



Cauliflower men on Long Island, through the cauliflower ex- 

 change, import direct and sell their seed to the members of the 

 association at a very low price. 



VARIETIES 



The varieties used mostly are Dwarf Erfurt and Snowball ; 

 about 90 per cent, of the latter. 



In Buffalo and other sections of New York State the Snowball 

 is the common variety used, although the Dwarf Erfurt is used 

 to some extent. It is impossible to overemphasize the import- 

 ance of good seed. Poor seed obtained from carelessly selected 

 strains are sure to produce a loose, leafy, branching head of low 

 value. The desired characteristic to obtain from seed should be 

 a plant of medium to large size, producing in an ordinary season 

 a head, the flower of which is from six to eight inches in diameter, 

 heavy, symmetrical and solid. Dwarf Erfurt and Early Snow- 

 ball will both give these characteristics, although the Erfurt 

 makes a larger head than the Snowball under Long Island 

 conditions. 



The amount of seed necessary to plant an acre varies according 

 to the care of the seed bed, number of plants required per acre, 

 whether conditions and many other factors. An ounce of seed may 

 ordinarily produce 2,500 to 3,000 plants, although the ounce may 

 really contain over 10,000 seeds. On an average about 6,000 

 plants are required per acre. It would, therefore, require about 

 two to two and one-half ounces of seed to plant an acre. Generally 

 speaking, in planting it is best to allowed three ounces per acre, in 

 order to be sure that enough plants will be available. The seed of 

 cauliflower does not deteriorate quickly. It has been found that 

 it is as good at two years or three years of age as at one, although a 

 little thicker sowing is advisable with three-year-old seed. Beyond 

 this point, the germinating power begins to decline rapidly. 



RAISING EARLY PLANTS 



In order to obtain an early product, it would be necessary to 

 start the seed of cauliflower similar to the way in which early cab- 

 bage is produced. It is necessary, however, to exercise great 

 care in the growing of early cauliflower plants. This increased 



