CULTURE OF THE CAULIFLOWER. 
51 
This sowing should take place about the third week in May, and a 
shad}? border should be selected for the purpose; or if the weather 
becomes very dry, the plants will suffer notwithstanding all the care 
that may be taken in watering. 
Prick out the plants, when large enough, as recommended for the 
early sowings, and allow them to remain there until the third week 
in July, when they may be transplanted into the situations where 
they are to form heads. 
Third Sowing Season .—This season extends from the middle of 
August to the middle of September, and is intended to produce plants 
to stand the Winter, and to plant out early in the spring for the 
main early crops, which are generally the finest. We prefer sowing 
this crop about the second week in September, because when sown 
in the middle or towards the end of August, they often become too 
large before winter, and are more liable to be injured by frost, unless 
they are checked in their growth, which often ends in their button¬ 
ing ; that is, forming small heads very early in the spring, which, to 
say the least, is a very great disappointment. 
Sow the seeds on a warm border in light soil, and when they are 
large enough, which will be about the beginning of November, trans¬ 
plant them in the siftiation where they are intended to stand the 
winter. This is either under a South wall, where they will receive 
no covering, under hand glasses, or in frames. 
Where the cultivator has not a frame or hand glasses to spare for 
the purpose, they will do remarkably well if planted as close under a 
south wall as they can be placed; and if the weather be very severe, 
a slight shelter may be given them, but in general, this is unneces¬ 
sary. These will not be quite so early in forming their heads as 
those in frames, or under hand glasses. 
Planting under Hand-glasses .—Prepare some rich ground, in a 
warm situation, for this purpose, by digging in a good quantity of 
rotten dung. Then place the hand glasses about four feet distant 
from each other, and proceed to plant from six to twelve plants under 
each, according to the size of the glass. If the day be dry when 
they are planted, it will be necessary to give them a little water; 
place on the glasses, and keep them close shut until they begin to 
grow ; then raise the glasses on the south side, with a brick, to admit 
air in fine weather, being particularly cautious not to keep them too 
tenderly. 
In fine mild weather, during winter, take the glasses entirely off 
all day, but in frosty weather, and very heavy rains, secure them well 
from being affected, otherwise in spring, most of the plants will be 
