THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



73 



Cauliflower plants pricked into pots, stand the winter well, 

 as by that means they may be removed from one place to 

 another, as circumstances may require ; and, being turned out 

 with balls, when planted, where they are to remain, will greatly 

 promote their future growth. 



The following method of obtaining a crop of early cauli- 

 flower, a week or ten days sooner than those treated in the 

 usual way, is recommended by an anonymous correspondent 

 of the Gardeners' Magazine. 



From a seed-bed which has been sown two or three days 

 after rather than before the customary period, select a score 

 or tw^o of healthy plants ; pot them singly into the smallest- 

 sized garden-pots, in rich loamy compost ; water and plunge 

 them in a cold frame, shading for a short time, till they have 

 taken root. Afterwards give air daily, drawing on the lights 

 at night, and defending from severe frost with a mat or two ; 

 water frequently with tepid manured water, and keep clear 

 from decayed leaves and weeds. Examine the state of the roots 

 from time to time, and, as they become in the least degree 

 matted, immediately shift into forty-eight-sized pots, with the 

 before-mentioned compost, and replace them carefully in the 

 same frame, attending to them as before. When the roots 

 have nearly filled these last pots, shift into thirty-twos, and 

 in due time, they will ultimately require twenty-fours, or if 

 they have grown rapidly, even eighteens. After being firmly 

 established in these, they may be removed into a vinery, peach, 

 or other forcing-house, there to remain till the end of March 

 or beginning of April, when they may be turned out into the 

 open air, between the asparagus beds, or any other warm and 

 sheltered spot. They will require to be put in pretty deep, 

 and protected by hand-glasses, or at least by boughs of trees, 

 that they may not suffer from the sudden transition of weather 

 or inclement skies. It is hardly necessary to add, that the whole 

 success of this mode of culture depends entirely on the plants 

 receiving no check in any stage of their grovv^th, either from 

 want of timely re-potting, water, air, or sufficient protection 

 from frost. While in the house, if not supplied with water in 

 pans, they are very liable to button, and thereby wholly de- 

 feat the end in view. 



1. 



