18 
is the lowest grade: of this type, the seed is cheap, and, 
although succeeding admirably at times cannot 
be depended on, apt to grow with small fine leaves 
through the heads. “Erfurt Extra Dwarf Earliest” 1s consider- 
ed the very finest grade, the seed is very expensive, and pro- 
duces magnificent heads as white as snow and cuts almost to a 
plant. The “Small Leaved Erfurt” differs from the preceding 
in that it has very narrow and pointed leaves which grow per- 
fectly upright, thus adapting it for close cultivation or for 
forcing ; it grows rapidly which adapts it for Spring cultivation, 
and for fall crop may be sown later than any other, 
and with our usual open Falls may be sown here as late as 
July lst. The two last named are favorites and are the only 
kinds suited for Spring cultivation, while at the same time they 
are superior for growing in the Fall, and our farmers are fast 
realizing the fact that the American grown Erfurt seed is 
superior to all imported stocks. 
“Early Snowball” sent out by Peter Henderson & Co., is a 
very fine strain of the Erfurt type and is certainly one of the 
very best, let it be called by what name it may. The “Algiers” 
is a standard sort with our farmers for Fall, but of no earthly 
use for Spring planting ; seed of this sort should be sown from 
May 15th to June Ist, and as the plants grow exceedingly large 
and tall they require much room; foliage large, long and 
spreading, dark green with silvery surface ; a very reliable sort 
and produces large and heavy heads, but not as solid, or as fine 
in quality as the Erfurts. 
The “Early Paris” and “Half Early Paris” were at one 
time quite popular with our growers but are now superseded 
by the Erfurts and Algiers; they form good sized heads, but 
not particularly solid, and burst very quickly if not cut when 
matured. Seed of these sorts should be sown early in June. 
The Early Paris under very favorable conditions has done well 
in the Spring. Every known sort has been tested by our grow- 
ers, and I have had in one field eighty-six samples, comprising 
every known variety and sub-variety often repeated, grown 
from seed procured from every possible source, and with the 
exception of one or two sorts which have done well under 
peculiar’ favorable conditions and circumstances, all have 
een positively condemned except those above named. 
