D. M. FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



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. 



CULTURE—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 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 cab- 

 bage and treat in the same manner. It should be borne in mind that cauliflower vnll 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 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 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 unifox'mly 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 devel- 

 oped plants only. 



Early 

 Snowball 



Admirably adapted for forc- 

 ing 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 wfll 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. 



In our recent comparative 

 trials of samples from the best 

 known growers and prominent 

 seedsmen in Europe and Amer- 

 ica our stocks of Early Snow- 

 ball 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. Pkt. 35 c; 

 ^ Oz. 75c; Oz. $3.50; 

 3 0z. $4.75; % Lb. $9.00 



See 

 Supplement 



Pearl of Detroit 



Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt 



It is of dwarf habit with short outside leaves and is 

 simflar m all respects to Early Snowball and nearly as. 

 early. It will give exceUent results either in the home 

 garden or for market use and is superior to most seed 



Early Favorite "^^^^^^^ 



» ., r . , and perhaps the best sort 



tor the mexpenenced grower, as it will head under condi- 

 tions 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 condi- 

 tion tor use a long time. Many years' experience has con- 

 vinced us that it is one of the hardiest sorts in cultivation 

 We urge you to try it. Pkt. 5c; Oz. $1.00; 3 Oz. $1.50^ 

 ^ Lb. $3.50 



Early Snowball Cauliflower. 



IZ?-a*«lwr C««-fist«*»-^ One of the best for general 



Crfll I V Crl IllrT cultivation. Heads large, 



^ -7 "^* «•*« m^ close, compact and very 



white. Pkt. 5c; Oz. $1.35; 3 Oz. $3.35; H Lb. $4.00 



FflrlV i nndnn '^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ known variety and of value 



L.tll ij LUllUlilS where a succession is desired, since its 



, heads mature just after those of the extra early sorts 



and before the late varieties are fully developed. Heads 



are tender and good for general use. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 40c; 



3 Oz. 75c; %i Lb. $1.35 



LeNormand's Short Stem ^J^^^.^^SeTSr^ 



and producing many leaves which protect the close, solid 

 curd, keeping it well blanched. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 75c: 

 8 Oz. $1.35; 3^ Lb. $3.00 



V ^^^*i,^ A l.».2^w./^ A valuable late sort, sure to 

 LSrSTG AlQ'^lCrS head, of excellent quality and 

 ^'•^'^o^ ^»«^jB^M*j popular with market garden- 

 ers. Plant large but of upright growth, the leaves protect- 

 ing 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; 2 Oz. $1.35; 3^ Lb. $3.00 



