ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE CAULIFLOWER. 
285 
This method of cultivating cauliflowers is not practised so much, 
perhaps, as it deserves to be. Like all other schemes of forcing culinary 
vegetables, it is attended with some labour, and consequent expense ; 
but the gratification of partaking of such a delicacy ten days or 
a fortnight before the ordinary season, would be considered by very 
many a high treat. 
The flowering of full grown plants may be hastened, it seems, 
by quite a novel proceeding, discovered or recommended, we think, by a 
correspondent of the u Irish Farmer’s and Gardener’s Magazine.” If 
the stem of a cauliflower plant, which is nearly full-grown, be nearly 
cut through near the ground, and be supported by a stake or stakes to 
prevent it being entirely broken off, the flower will come forth sooner 
than if the stem had not been wounded at all. This, by the bye, 
is quite a natural consequence, because the growth of the exterior 
members being stopped, the remaining vitality being central is exerted 
against the flower and which is thereby forced forth alone. Thus we 
often see plants of the same genus with the cauliflower, when cut over 
and thrown upon the bare ground, or rubbish-heap, perfect their flowers 
without any assistance from roots. 
A few more observations may be added relative to potted cauliflowers : 
—We have already observed that they must never be allowed to become 
dry at the root, until the heads are required for use; and while in the 
frame be defended from snails and slugs, which are sometimes a great 
annoyance. Air must be given as often as it can be done with safety ; 
and in very hard frosts the frame should be covered with a mat at 
night. Much attention is required to hit the right time for shifting, 
for if once the roots become matted round the pot, there is great risk of 
the plant “ buttoning.” 
The foregoing observations relate to what may be called the superior 
methods of cultivating cauliflowers; but they may be cultivated with¬ 
out the assistance of either glass or hothouses, and with no further 
trouble than protecting the plants from severe frost during winter. 
With this view the seedlings are pricked out upon a warm dry border 
and hooped over, as already mentioned ; and being covered in hard frost, 
they are preserved till about the middle of March, when they may be 
planted out for good. A sheltered, rich spot of ground is always chosen, 
dunged, and well-digged ; the plants are dibbed in by line two feet 
asunder every way, and afterwards kept clean and earthed up by the 
hoe. These plants yield their heads about the beginning of June, 
sooner or later, according to the favourableness of the spring months. 
The above are called the spring crop ; but in order to have a succes¬ 
sion of flowers through the summer, two sowings must be made in the 
