D. M. FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 25 



Ca\-iliflo^ver 



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 direc- 

 tions given below. 



f\]i TIIDP For spring and early summer crop, sow in March or early in April, in hot-bed, and transplant to cold 

 VUL i tJlyCf frame when sufficiently large, and to the open ground as soon as danger of hard freezing is over. 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, giving a rich pasture or clover field the preference. A strong loam, neither too 

 clayey nor too sandy is best. Plenty of good manure, horse manure being considered best, 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 cauliflower will not head up well in hot, dry weather, and hence the so\\ing3 

 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 they begin to form, draw the leaves over and pin or tie them together to protect the head from the 

 sun and keep it white'. The heads should be cut for use while the •"curd"" is compact and hard, as they soon become 

 tough and bitter after they open and sepai-ate into branches. Of the enemies of the crop, none is more foVmidable than 

 the cabbage root-maggot. This seems to have a special liking for the cauliflower. Probably the best and most surely 

 effective protective measures are, enveloping each plant with a tight fitting collar of tarred felt, or injecting about a tea- 

 spoonful of bisulphide of carbon into the soil under the roots of each plant. Plant lice are another serious pest of this 

 crop. Effective remedies are dusting with fine tobacco dust, or spraying with strong tobacco tea, or kerosene emulsion. 



Our 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 perfectly developed plants only. 



lEarly Snowball Cauliflower 



Admirably adapted for forcing or wintering over for early crop, and the most popular sort for these purposes. It is 

 also one of the best sorts for late summer and fall crop, and with reasonably favorable conditions, every plant will form 

 a large, solid head of fine quality. The plants are compact, with few narrow, upright leaves, and are well suited for close 

 planting. The heads are solid,'compact, round, very white and curd-like, and are developed earlier than those of any 

 other sort. 



We know our stock of this variety is unsurpassed, and is superior to much that is sold under such names as "Gilt 

 Edge," "Earliest, ' etc., etc. Pkt. 25c; % Oz. 75c; Oz. $2.50; 2 Oz. $4.75; H Lb. $9.00 



