428 
frames and glazed lights being substituted for 
bell-glasses, in the use of which British gar- 
deners are none too expert. For frame-culture 
and for gentle forcing generally Dean’s Snow- 
ball is the best variety. If a stock of plants 
has not been raised in the autumn and wintered 
under glass, sow seed in gentle heat early in 
January. Thin out the plants early, and raise 
the pans or boxes well up to the glass, with 
a view to keeping them sturdy. Prior to 
pricking out in boxes, or placing singly in 
24-inch pots, the latter preferably, harden the 
stems by means of a week’s change to a shelf 
in a cooler house, but return to a light position 
in gentle heat after pricking out or potting. 
Before the plants become root-bound shift to 
where they are to attain their full size. Only 
a very mild hot-bed is needed for them, and 
this should have a covering of from 6 inches to 
8 inches of moderately rich, loamy soil. Ar- 
range the plants 15 inches apart each way, and 
plant rather firmly. They must be kept only 
moderately warm, the top heat, without air, 
seldom exceeding 55°, airing them freely on 
mild days, and drawing off the lights completely | 
on very warm days. The plants must never 
become dry at the roots, and lquid manure 
should be given freely directly hearting com- 
mences. Very large hearts will not be had 
in this way, nor are they particularly desirable, 
good cooks preferring neat close hearts about 
the size of a cricket-ball. 
Cauliflowers can also be grown successfully 
in 9-inch pots. Use rich, loamy soil, poi firmly, 
keep the plants near the glass in a warm pit, 
attend well to the watering, and use liquid 
manure freely from the time the roots have | 
With the aid | 
taken full possession of the soil. 
of heated pits and rough frames on mild hot- 
beds, glazed or only protected with mats, a 
succession of very good Cauliflowers can be had 
from April to the end of June. 
To save Seeds.—Seeds are best obtained from 
autumn-sown plants which have been wintered 
in a frame, and well supplied with water during 
the whole period of their growth. The selection 
should be made, and the plants marked, when | 
the heads are in perfection. Plants having 
short thick stems, with firm heads of a fine 
white colour, should be preferred. Any that 
exhibit a disposition to form heads before the 
generality should be watched, and if with this 
disposition they do not quickly break the curd 
to run to seed, there is a chance that seeds saved 
from them will be the best for early produce. 
Diseases and Insects—See under CABBAGES. 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
Alleawme Dwarf.—A short-stemmed early variety, with 
broad, wavy, twisted leaves. It forms a head quickly, 
and should be cut early. 
Dean’s Early Snowball.—Of the Erfurt type, but dwarfer 
and earlier, maturing quickly, being ready to cut in four 
months from the time of sowing. Stems very short; leaves 
short, narrow, pointed, of a silvery-green; head white and 
very close. 
Dwarf Erfurt (fig. 1182).—One of the earliest; grows 
about a foot high; leaves short; head compact, large, white, 
if protected from light. One of the best for forcing. 
a) ON } 
Fig. 1182.—Cauliflower—Dwarf Erfurt. 
Early London (Karly Dutch).—A large, hardy, rather 
| tall Cauliflower, with a fine white, compact head. Largely 
_ valuable on account of its lateness. 
cultivated near London for the early crop, and in Holland, 
France, &c., for the English market. 
Large Asiatic.—A very fine late variety, with large 
dark-green leaves and a short stem. A sturdy grower, 
Should be sown in 
May for autumn use. 
Large White French.—A large variety, with a long 
stout stem, long wavy dark-green leaves, and a firm com- 
Fig. 1183.—Cauliflower—Lenormand’s Short-stalked. 
pact head. One of the hardiest, and may be grown suc- 
cessfully in the open. 
Lenormand’s.—One of the hardiest. Stem about 15 
inches high; leaves broad, and waved on the margin; 
head about 9 inches across. ; 
Lenormand’s Short-stalked (fig. 1183).—Stem very short; 
leaves short, broad, wavy, very firm, spreading, exposing 
the head, which is large, pure white. One of the best. — 
