32 



M. FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



CAULIFLOWER 



Cauliflower, although one of the most delicious vegetai3les. 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 the ground after sowing. This insures quick germination. Cover seed with one-half inch of fine soil firmly pressed 

 dowTi. Transplant to cold-frame when sufficiently large to handle. 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 eig;hteen inches apart in the row. The plants ^v\\\ 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. I£ 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 crop, none is more formidable than the cabbage root maggot. This seems to have a special liking for 

 the cauliflower. Probably the best and most surely effective protective measure is enveloping each plant with a ticrht fitting 

 collar of tarred felt. 

 Plant lice are also serious 

 pests of this crop. Ef- 

 fective remedies are 

 dusting with fine tobacco 

 dust, or spraying with 

 strong tobacco tea or 

 kerosene emulsion. 



Our cauliflower trials 

 for several years in- 

 cluded samples of seeds 

 from some of the most 

 skillful American grow- 

 ers and while their 

 stocks produced hardy, 

 vigorous plants the 

 heads formed were uni- 

 formly more open in the 

 curd and matured a 

 little later than those 

 grown from the best im- 

 ported seed. All the 

 cauliflower seed we offer 

 is produced by the most 

 experienced growers in 

 Europe, in such localities 

 as are best suited to its 

 proper development and 

 the greatest care is taken 

 to save seed from per- 

 fectly developed plants 

 only. 



Early Snowball 



Unquestionably the 

 earliest maturing 

 strain of the true short 

 leaved Snowball type 

 of cauliflower. It is 

 admirably adapted for 

 forcing or wintering 

 over for early crop and 

 is the most popular 

 sort for these pur- 

 poses, also one of the 

 best sorts for late sum- 

 mer and fall crop. 

 Early Snowball is, 

 moreover, a most de- 

 sirable sort for the 

 home garden. The 

 plants are compact, 

 with few, short, outside 

 leaves and are well 

 suited for close plant- 

 ing. The heads are of medium to large size, solid, compact, e* i c 'j. This is a second early, exceedingly 

 round, very white and curd-like and are developed earlier than liiarly raVOritC hardy, easily grown sort. It is perhaps 

 those of any other sort. In our many comparative trials of the best sort for the inexperienced grower, as it will head un- 



Early S: 



samples from the best known growers and prominent seeds- 

 men in Europe and America our stocks of Early Snowball 

 have been unsurpassed 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 w^e are in position to supply the 

 most critical trade with seed which can be depended upon as 

 the very best. Pkt. 25c; V4 Oz. 75c; Oz. $2.25; 2 Oz. $4.25; 

 1/4 Lb. $8.00 

 r?. rir^ rr^i'tA remarkably sure 



bxtra harly Dwarr Lrrurt heading early cauli- 

 flower. It is of dw^arf 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 we 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 



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 



w A 1 • -^ valuable late sort, sure to head, of ex 



Large 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 

 Tr«iL> A J. r^* i.A distinct and valuable 



Veitch S Autumn Giant 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; Vi Lb. $1.25 



