CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
2 97 
island and many small but highly intensive ones near 
Brooklyn at the west end. Its cultivation has been ex- 
tended to most of the states, but the crop is especially 
important in California, Florida, the Great Lake district 
and in other sections providing suitable climatic conditions. 
Except in the most favored sections, it is a difficult 
crop to grow. Many uncertainties attend its production. 
The young plants are very susceptible to damping-off 
fungi. A hard frost may stunt the growth of the young 
plants, causing the heads to “bolt” or “button” ; that is, 
the heads may break or send up their flowering parts 
before they have attained a marketable size. Poor seed 
or dry weather at the time of heading may cause the 
same trouble. Because of the uncertainty thousands 
of growers do not attempt cauliflower culture. Although 
the supply is liberal at times in some of our large mar- 
kets, most cities are only fairly well supplied, and there 
is usually a good demand for large, white heads. 
382. Climate. — Proper climatic conditions are univer- 
sally regarded as more important than a congenial soil. 
This vegetable has become accustomed to a cool, moist 
climate ; it rebels against heat, dry weather and low 
humidity. Regions near large bodies of water, as on 
Long Island, along the Atlantic Coast, in the Great 
Lake district and at Puget Sound, furnish ideal condi- 
tions. Some inland sections, however, have produced 
fairly good results. Growers in Garrett County, Md., 
have had splendid success. They are located about 
3,000 feet above sea level, where the air is cool, and 
where there are fogs or a moist atmosphere most of the 
time. High temperatures, low humidity and lack of soil 
moisture tend to check growth, and therefore, reduce the 
size of the heads, which are thus probably caused to “but- 
ton.” Overhead irrigation is especially valuable for this crop. 
The plants are much less hardy than cabbage. This 
fact must be taken into acco-unt when planting in the 
