22 



stem, which is swollen chiefly in the upper two thirds of its length and filled with a 

 sort of marrow or tender flesh, which forms excellent food for cattle. The leaves are 

 very long and broad and constitute a considerable part of the crop. The stem grows 

 5 feet or more high, with a diameter of 3 to 4 inches in the thickest part. The mar- 

 row kale, like the thousand-headed cabbage, has the disadvantage of being sensitive 

 to cold, and the crop must be gathered before severe cold sets in. At the end of sum- 

 mer and all through the autumn the leaves are cut and given to cattle. At the 

 commencement of hard weather, when the leaves are all cut, the stems are taken up 

 and stored in an outhouse or shed, where they will be free from frost, and in this way 

 they will keep all through the winter." ( Vilmorin.) 



2037. BRASSICA OLERACEA AOEPHALA. Kale. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 

 "Red marrow." (See No. 2036.) 



2038. Brassica oleracea. Cauliflower. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 

 11 Extra selected earliest Erfurt dwarf," northern grown. (See No. 2039.) 



2039. Brassica oleracea. Cauliflower. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



" Very early Erfurt." Very good; southern grown. "A very early, very distinct, 

 and really valuable variety, but difficult to keep true to name. It is somewhat under 

 middle height and has a rather short stem. Leaves oblong, entire, of rounded out- 

 line, scarcely undulated, and of a peculiar light grayish-green tint, which, added 

 to their shape and rather erect position, gives the plant some resemblance to the 

 sugar-loaf cabbage. The head, which is white, compact, and fine-grained, forms 

 quickly and keeps firm for a long time. When exposed to the sun it soon acquires 

 a violet tint." ( Vilmorin. ) 



2040. Brassica oleracea. Cauliflower. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Alleaunie dwarf, very early." "An exceedingly dwarf and very early variety. 

 The stem is so short that the head appears almost to rest on the ground, like that of 

 the early dwarf Erfurt cauliflower. From this variety, however, it differs entirely 

 in the appearance of the leaves, which are broad, undulated at the margin, and 

 generally twisted. The head forms very quickly, but soon grows out of shape if it 

 is not cut in time." ( Vilmorin.) 



2041. Brassica oleracea. Cauliflower. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Imperial." Extra early sort grown about Paris. "This handsome variety very 

 much resembles the dwarf Erfurt, but it is of a darker green color and larger in all 

 its parts. It is an early kind, with a fine, white, broad, firm head, and remarkable 

 for the regularity of its growth, and productiveness. When grown true to name it 

 is certainly one of the best varieties of cauliflower." ( Vilmorin.) 



2042. Brassica oleracea. Cauliflower. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Maltese." A sort deserving of being more widely known than at present, accord- 

 ing to Vilmorin. "It is characterized by its comparatively short stem, leaves with 

 little scallops on the edges, dark green or almost slate color, hardy. It is cultivated 

 so as to produce during the late summer and the autumn. It thrives perfectly both in 

 the gardens and in the open field, provided, however, the land is properly irrigated. 

 The head is large and fine, and appears more white in contrast with the deep green 

 of the foliage." ( Vilmorin.) 



2043. Brassica oleracea. Cauliflower. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 

 "Cbambourcy mammoth." Half early. 



