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



CAULIFLOWER 



25 



The 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 certain of success with this most desirable vegetable if he carefully follows the cultural directions given below. 



For spring and early summer crop, sow in March or early in April in hotbed and 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 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 apphcation, however, 

 can be more necessary or more useful than that of cultivator and hoe. For late crop, sow at same time as for late cab- 

 bage and treat in the same manner. It should be borne in mind that cauliflower 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 pro- 

 tect it from the sun and to keep it white. The heads should be cut for use while the "curd" is compact 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 tight fitting collar of tarred 

 felt. Plant lice are anoth- 

 er serious pest of this 

 crop. Effective reme- 

 dies are dusting with 

 fine tobacco dust, or 

 spraying with strong 

 tobacco tea or kerosene 

 emulsion. 



Our cauliflower trials 

 for several years includ- 

 ed samples of seeds from 

 some of the most skillful 

 American growers and 

 while their stocks pro- 

 duced 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 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 perfectly 

 developed plants only. 



Early 



Unquestionably 

 the earliest 



Snowball ,-t?J-J 



the true short leaved 

 Snowball type of cauli- 

 flower. Admirably 

 adapted for forcing or 

 wintering over for 

 early crop and the 

 most popular sort for 

 these purposes, also 

 one of the best sorts 

 for late summer and 

 fall crop. The plants 

 are compact, with few 

 narrow, upright leaves 

 and are well suited for 

 close planting. The 

 heads are of medium 

 size, solid, compact, 



round, very white and curd-like and are developed earli 

 er than those of any other sort. In our recent compar- 

 ative trials of samples from the best known growers and 

 prominent seedsmen in Europe and America our stocks 

 of Early Snowball were unsurpassed by any in earliness. 

 They also gave the highest percentage of well formed 

 heads. We are in position to supply the most critical 

 trade with seed which can be depended upon as the very 

 best. {See further description on page U and colored 

 plate paae 5 in Supplement) Pkt. 35c; ^ Oz. 75c; 

 Oz. $3.50; 3 Oz. $4.75; H Lb. $9.00 



Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt heaSeSy cS 



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

 is similar in all respects to Early Snowball, and nearly 

 as early. The heads when ready for market are of med- 

 ium to large size, curd 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 far superior to most stocks 

 offered as Snowball. Pkt. 35c; h Oz. 75c; Oz. $3.35; 

 H Oz. $4.35; H Lb. $8.00 



Early Snowball 



PIP 'j. This is very early, exceedingly 



liariy raVOrite hardy, easily grown and perhaps 

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

 under 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 condition for use a long time. Many years' 

 experience has convinced us that it is one of the hardiest 

 sorts. Pkt. 5c; Oz. $1.00; 3 Oz. $1.50; h Lb. $3.50 

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



Large /\lgierS excellent quality and popular with 

 market gardeners. Plant large but of vipright growth, 

 the leaves protecting the heads so that they will endure 

 uninjured a frost that would ruin most other sorts. One of 

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

 3 Oz. $1.35; % Lb. $3.00 



\7' •*.!_> Km. r^» M. A distinct and valuable 



Veitch S Autumn Giant late variety with long 

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

 extremely white, firm and compact and being well pro- 

 tected by foliage, remain a long time fit for use. The 

 plants should be started and transplanted early in the 

 season to insure their full development, Pkt. 5c; 0z.40c; 

 3 Oz. 75c; ?g Lb. $1.35 



