M. FERRY & CO 



DETROIT, M ICH 



27 



CAULIFLOWER 



Cauliflower, although one of the most delicious vegetables, is but little grown except by professional gardeners because of 

 the erroneous notion that it is so difficult to grow that only skilled gardeners can produce it. Any one will be reasonably sure 

 of success with this most desirable vegetable if the cultural directions given below are carefully followed. 



For spring and early summer crop, sow in March or early in April in hotbed. If soil is not too wet, seed should be thoroughly 

 pressed into tlie ground after sowing. This insures quick germination. Cover seed with one-half inch of fine soil firmly pressed 

 down. Transplant to cold-frame when sufficiently large to liandle. As soon as danger of hard freezing is over set in the open 

 ground in rows two and one-half to three feet apart and eighteen inches apart in the row. The plants will endure a light frost. 

 The soil for cauliflower should be like that for cabbage, but it is better if made richer than is ordinarily used for that crop. Plenty 

 of good manure must be well incorporated with the soil and the latter be brought into the highest state of tilth. No application, 

 however, can be more necessary or more useful than that of cultivator and hoe. 



For late crop, sow at same time as for late cabbage and treat in the same manner. It should be borne in mind that cauli- 

 flower will not head up well in hot, dry weather and hence the sowings need to be so timed as to bring the heads to maturity 

 either before the hot summer weather sets in or not until the cooler weather of the fall. If it receive at this time a liberal 

 supply of water, the size and quality of the heads will be greatly improved. After the head begins to form, draw the leaves over 

 and tie them together to protect it from the sun and to keep it white. The heads should be cut for use while the ''curd" is com- 

 pact and hard, as they soon become much impaired in quality and appearance after they open and separate into branches. 



Of the enemies of the ciop, none is more formidable than 

 the cabbage root maggot. Tliis seems to have a special liking 

 for the cauliflower. Probably the best and most surely effec- 

 tive protective measure is enveloping each plant wdth a tight 

 fitting collar of tarred felt. Plant lice are also serious pests of 

 this crop. Effective remedies are dusting with fine tobacco 

 dust, or spraying with strong tobacco tea or kerosene emulsion. 



Our cauliflower trials for several years included samples of 

 seeds from some of the most skillful American growers and 

 while their stocks produced hardy, vigorous plants the heads 

 formed were uniformly more open in the curd and matured a 

 little later than those grown from the best imported seed. All 

 the cauliflower seed we offer is produced by the most experi- 

 enced growers in Europe, in such localities as are best suited to 

 its proper development and the greatest care is taken to save 

 seed from perfectly developed plants only. 



«-• I Q l_ Ifl Unquestionably the earliest maturing 



tariy OnOWball strain of the true short leaved Snow- 

 ball type of cauliflower. It is admirably adapted for forcing 

 or wintering over for early crop and is the most popular sort 

 for these purposes, also one of the best sorts for late summer 

 and fall crop. Early Snowball is, moreover, a most desirable 

 sort for the home garden. The plants are compact, with few 

 short, outside leaves and are well suited for close planting. 

 The heads are of medium to large size, solid, compact, round, 

 very white and curd-like and are developed earlier than those 

 of any other sort. In our many comparative trials of samples 

 from the best known growers and prominent seedsmen in Eu- 

 rope and America our stocks of Early Snowball have been un- 

 surpassed by any in earliness. They also gave the highest 

 percentage of well formed heads. After a careful inspection 

 of the fields of the most expert Danish and other European 

 growers we know we are in position to supply the most criti- 

 cal trade with seed which can be depended upon as the very 

 best. Pkt. 25c; 1/4 Oz. 75c; Oz. $2.25; 2 Oz. $4.25; 1/4 Lb. $8.00 



17. 17 1¥> C T7 £ L ^ remarkably sure 



hxtra Larly Dwari: Lrturt heading early cauli- 

 flower. It is of dwarf habit with short outside leaves and 

 is similar in most respects to Early Snowball, and nearly as 

 early. The heads when ready for market are of medium to 

 large size. The curd is white, exceptionally deep and of finest 

 quality. It will give excellent results either in the home 

 garden or for market use and is superior to most seed sold 

 at higher prices. Where extreme earliness is not the 

 greatest consideration vre recommend this strain after 

 having proven it superior to many stocks offered as Snow- 

 ball. Pkt. 25c; 1/4 Oz. 65c; Oz. $2.00; 2 Oz. $3.75; V4 Lb. $7.00 

 P I r-. .. This is a second early, exceedingly 



iLarly r aVOrite hardy, easily grown sort. It is perhaps 

 the best sort for the inexperienced grower, as it will head un- 

 der conditions in which many sorts would fail. The plants are 

 large and form large heads which, although inclined to be 

 open, are crisp, tender and of fine quality. It keeps in con- 

 dition for use a long time. Many years' experience has con- 

 vinced us that it is one of the hardiest sorts. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 85c; 

 2 Oz. $1.35; 1/4 Lb. $2.25 

 I A 1 * ^ valuable late sort, sure to head, of ex- 



Larg'iS Algiers cellent quality and popular with market 

 gardeners. The plant is large but of upright growth, the 

 leaves protecting the heads so that they will endure uninjur- 

 ed a frost that would ruin most other sorts. This is one of the 

 very best of the late varieties. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 75c; 2 Oz. $1.25; 

 1/4 Lb. $2.00 

 •«r.. i> Aj. ^* a. ^ distinct and valuable 



V eitcn S Autumn Lftiant late variety with long 

 stems and dark green leaves. The heads are very large, 

 white, firm and compact and being well protected by foliage, 

 remain along time fit for use. The plants should be started 

 and transplanted early in the season to insure their full de- 

 velopment. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 45c; 2 Oz. 80c; V4 Lb. $1.25 



Early Snowball 



