CABBAGES AND CAULIFLOWERS 



31 



them from exposure to the light, which would 

 make them dark and loose. The heads must be 

 cut in the morning, while the air is cool and fresh 

 and the night dew covers the plant. They will 

 then keep much longer in good, fresh condition 

 than when cut later in the day. 



For cauliflowers in the open around, the first 

 sowing is made in hotbed in the months of 

 February and March, according to the locality, 

 and after the plants have been pricked out and 

 hardened by exposure, they are transplanted in 

 April, or as early as safe, to a sheltered place facing 

 the south, or any other warm situation. Another 

 sowing may be made, also in hotbed, a fortnight 

 later, to keep up a supply. Or if two varieties — 

 an early and a medium early — be sown at the 

 same time, monthly periods for repeated sowings 

 will furnish a pretty steady supply, the plants 

 coming to maturity and heading gradually. As 

 soon as the soil can be worked in spring, seed may 

 be sown in sunny, sheltered situations. Good 

 seed, well matured and properly treated during 

 the curing and drying process, germinates very 

 readily at a pretty low temperature, and gives 

 robust and powerful plants that can be easily 

 managed, and with a very slight protection, such 

 as every reflecting grower will readily find means 

 to afford, may be carried through the most dan- 

 gerous period of early spring with comparative 

 ease. 



For the family garden, plants may be started 



