D. M. FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



19 



CAULIFLOWER. 



French, Chou-fleur. German, Blumen-Kohl. 



The cauUflower, although one of the- most delicious vege- 

 tables, is but little grown except by professional gardeners, 

 by reason of the erroneous notion that it is so difficult to 

 grow that only skilled gardeners can produce it. We are 

 certain that anyone will be reasonablj- successful with this 

 most desirable vegetable if they will observe the cultural 

 directions given below. 



CuLTL'RE.— For spring and early summer crop sow in March 

 or early in April in hot- bed and transplant to cold frame 

 when sufficiently large and to the open ground when the 

 ■weather is warm enough. The soil for cauhflower should be 

 like that for cabbage, but it is better to be made richer than is 

 ordinarily used for that crop. Give the plants thorough cul- 

 ture and keep free from worms with Persian insect powder. 

 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 should be so regulated as to bring it in either in 

 early summer or late fall. Although nine-tenths of the cauli- 

 flowers grown In this country are produced without it, fre- 

 quent and abundant watering is so beneficial that it pays well 

 for the labor it costs. After the heads begin to form draw the 

 leaves over them and pin or tie them together to protect 

 from the sun and keep them white. They should be cut for 

 use while the '"curd" is compact and hard, as they soon 

 become tough and bitter after they open and separate into 

 branches. 



the hardiest kinds in cultivation, and will form heads under 

 more unfavorable circimastances than almost any other. We 

 urge you to try it. 



EXTRA EARLY PARIS.— Heads large, white, compact 

 and solid, of excellent flavor, tender and delicious. Leaves 

 large, stock short. Being so early it must always be a favor- 

 ite, especially with market gardeners. 



EARLY ERFURT. -One of the best for general cultivation. 

 Heads large, close, compact and very white. 



EARLY LONDON.— This is a standard variety: very tender 

 and quite early; heads compact, solid and of delicious flavor; 

 good for general use. • 



EARLY PARIS, OR NONPAREIL. -A most excellent 

 French variety, with good sized, uuifoiin, close heads, which 

 are tender and delicious. Planted at the same time with the 

 Extra Early Paris, it will afford a succession. 



LE NORMAND'S SHORT STEM. -Considered by the 

 French one of the very best sorts. Plant hardy, semi-dwarf, 

 sure heading, and producing many leaves, which protect the 

 close, solid curd, keeping it well blanched. 



LARGE ALGIERS.— A valuable late sort, sure to head, of 

 the best quality, and very popular with market gardeners 

 everywhere. One of the very best. 



VEITCH'S AUTUMN GIANT.— A distinct and valuable late 

 variety. The heads are very large, extremely white, firm 

 and compact, and being well protected by foliage, remain a 

 long time fit for use. The plants should be started and 

 transplanted early in the season, to insure their full develop- 

 ment. 



^;S^^mkm^ 



Oiu" cauliflower seed 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 nothing but perfectly developed plants. It can 

 therefore be relied upon to give entire satisfaction if properly 

 planted and cared for and the season is such as to make a 

 crop. 



EARLY SNOWBALL.— Probably grown more than all 

 other varieties together for forcing or wintering over for 

 •early crop. It is exceedingly early atid hardy and is one of 

 the surest to make a solid, compact head. For these reasons 

 It is growing also more and more in favor for planting for the 

 late summer and fall crop. We have taken great pains to 

 secure the best seed procurable and confidently recommend 

 it as equal to that offered by anyone. 



EXTRA EARLY DWARF ERFURT.-Our stock is almost 

 as early as Early Snowball and is very desirable for forcing 

 •or for planting out doors Plants compact, with few, narrow, 

 upright leaves, making it the best for close planting; forms 

 ■solid, compact heads under very unfavorable conditions and 

 is therefore one of the most desirable for general use. We 

 think our stock of this is unsurpassed and want to assure our 

 customers that it is as early as any catalogued as "Earliest," 

 or "First Early.'' 



EARLY FAVORITE.— This is a new variety in this country 

 and is, we think, the best early large growing kind. The 

 plants grow about the same size as Early Erfurt, form a med- 

 ium size to large head, which is solid, crisp, tender, of the very 

 best quality, and keeps in condition for use a 'ong time. 

 Several years' experience has convinced us that it is one of 



CELERY. . 



French. Celeri. German, Sellerie. 



Celery has come so generally into use and is so superior 

 when ffe.sh from the ground, that almost ever}- garden has a 

 bed devoted to its growth, and if the soil is rich and the plants 

 well cared for the celery will be one of the best prized pro- 

 ducts of the garden. 



CrLTi'RE.— Sow the seed (which is slow to germinated in 

 shallow boxes, or in a finely jirepared seed bed out of do©i-s. 

 in straight rows, so that the small plants may be kept free 

 from weeds. 



See to it that the seed bed is kept moist, almost wet. until 

 the seeds germinate, as plenty of moisture is essential to get 

 a satisfactory growth. When about two inche.s high, thin 

 out and transplant so that they may stand two inches apart, 

 and when the plants are four inches high, cut off the lops 

 which will cause them to grow stocky. The crop is usually 

 made to succeed some earlier crop, "and if good plants are 

 used they may be set out as late as the middle of August, but 

 the best results are usually obtained from setting about the 

 middle of June or the first "of .July. The most desirable time 

 will depend upon local climate, and is that which will bring 

 the plants to maturity during cool, moist weather. In setting 

 prepare broad, shallow trenches about six inches deep, and 

 four feet apart, in which the i>lants should be set six inches 

 apart, cutting off the outer leaves and pressing the soil firmli/ 

 about the roots. When the plants are nearly full grown they 

 should be "handled," which is done by one nuui gathering 



