300 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
plants may be set from the latter part of June until 
August i, as the locality and the condition of the soil 
may permit. The general practice is to plant early 
enough so that the heads will form before the hot midsummer 
weather, and to start the late plants so they will begin 
heading with the lower temperatures of the early fall 
months. Although the crop may be and is matured at 
midseason, the task is regarded as difficult, because head- 
ing does not progress so satisfactorily in hot, dry 
weather. The planting distances are the same as for 
early and late cabbage. 
390. Cultivation. — Clean tillage is required to prevent 
weed growth and to conserve moisture. In the small, inten- 
sive plantations, wheel hoes are used extensively ; in field 
culture, the spike-toothed cultivators are most popular. 
391. Protecting the heads. — The market pays the high- 
est prices for pure white heads, but these cannot be 
produced without protection from rain and sunshine. 
This is accomplished by fastening the leaves over the 
heads in such a manner as to shed rain and to prevent the 
sun’s rays from reaching the delicate heads. The opera- 
tion should be attended to when the heads are small. 
Sometimes several leaves are brought together and tied. 
Some growers prefer to break or bend a number of out- 
side leaves over the heads. This plan is not very thor- 
ough. Toothpicks are effective in fastening the leaves. 
392. Marketing. — Yields will run 300 to 400 dozen 
heads per acre. Returns reported from Oregon run 
$1.25 to $2.00 per flat crate. As cauliflower is easily 
damaged, it should be handled with the greatest care. 
Crates are the best packages and are gaining in popu- 
larity. They usually hold about two dozen heads, 
but the flat crate holding 8 to 15 heads provides still 
better carrying conditions. Basket hampers are used 
sometimes. The product should go to market in the 
most dainty condition ; paraffin paper wrapped about 
