176 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



winter cabbasre. Protect them from tlie cut-Avorm, and 

 insects in the same manner. If possible, give them a plat 

 of moist bottom soil, made very rich with well decomposed 

 manure. Take them np carefully with a trowel that the 

 roots may not be injured, and plant in rows two feet 

 asunder each way; water freely when needed, which in 

 dry weather is every other day at least ; if with liquid 

 manure so much the better. Let them never suffer from 

 drought ; they will show when they need water by theii 

 drooping leaves. Soapsuds is an excellent application. 

 Keep the ground hoed deeply and thoroughly about them, 

 especially the day after each watering, that it may not bake. 



The hills should be hollowed about the caulifloAver like a 

 shallow basin to retain moisture. The head may be blanch- 

 ed by bending the leaves and confining them loosely with a 

 string. They will head in succession during the autumn. 



When a cauliflower has reached its full size, v/hich is 

 shown by the border opening as if about to seed, the plant 

 should be pulled, and if laid entire in this state in a cool 

 place may be kept several days. They should be pulled 

 in the morning, for if gathered in the middle or evening of 

 a hot day, it boils tough. When there is danger of severe 

 frost injuring the cauliflowers that have not already 

 headed, they may be protected by pine boughs or empty 

 boxes or barrels where they stand — or pulled up with the 

 earth attached to the roots, and removed to a cellar or out- 

 building, where they will flower in succession all winter. 

 In the low country this will hardly be necessary, and the 

 spring crop is I believe more certain with them. 



For Seed. — Set out, in spring, some of the finest heads, 

 with fine, close flower-buds, and proceed as with cabbage. 

 It is very liable to intermix with the other Brassicas; so 

 that it is best to depend upon English seed. Seed will 

 keep three or four years. 



