34 
D. M. FERRY & CO’S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 
V/ 
CAULIFLOWER 
Cauliflower, although one of the most delicious vegetables, is but little grown except by professional gardeners because of 
the erroneous notion that it is so difficult to grow that only skilled gardeners can produce it. Any one will be reasonably sure 
of success with this most desirable vegetable if the cultural directions given below are carefully followed. 
F<*r spring and early summer crop, sow in March or early in April in hotbed. If soil is not too wet, seed should be thoroughly 
pressed into the ground after sowing. This insures quick germination. Cover seed with one-half inch of fine soil firmly pressed 
down. Transplant to cold-frame when sufficiently large to handle. As soon as danger of hard freezing is over set in the open 
ground in rows two and one-half to three feet apart and eighteen inches apart in the row. The plants will endure a light frost. 
The soil for cauliflower should be like that for cabbage, but it is better if made richer than is ordinarily used for that crop. Plenty 
of good manure must be well incorporated with the soil and the latter be brought into the highest state of tilth. No application, 
however, can be more necessary or more useful than that of cultivator and hoe. 
For late crop, sow at same time as for late cabbage and treat in the same manner. It should be borne in mind that cauli¬ 
flower will not head up well in hot. dry weather and hence the sowings need to he so timed as to bring the heads to maturity 
either before the hot summer weather sets in or not until the cooler weather of the fall. If it receive at this time a liberal 
supply of water, the size and quality of the heads will be greatly improved. After the head begins to form, draw the leaves over 
and tie them together to protect it from the sun and to keep it white. The heads should be cut for use while the “curd” is com¬ 
pact and hard, as they soon become much impaired in quality and appearance after they open and separate into branches. 
Of the enemies of the crop, none is more formidable than the cabbage root maggot. This seems to have a special liking for 
the cauliflower. Probably the best and most surely effective protective measure is enveloping each plant with a tight fitting 
collar of tarred felt. Plant lice are also serious pe6ts of this crop. Effective remedies are dusting with fine tobacco 
dust, or spraying with strong tobacco tea or kerosene emulsion. 
Our cauliflower trials for several years included samples of seeds from some of the most skillful American growers and while 
their stocks produced hardy, vigorous plants the heads formed were uniformly more open in the curd and matured a 
little later than those grown from the best imported seed. All the cauliflower seed we offer is produced by the most 
experienced growers in Europe, in such localities as are best suited to its proper development and the greatest 
care is taken to save seed from perfectly developed plants only. 
r i c i || Unquestionably the earliest maturing strain of the true short leaved Snowball type of cauliflower. 
JLarly onowball It is admirably adapted for forcing or wintering over for early crop and is the most popular sort 
for these purposes, also one of the best sorts for late summer and fall crop. Early Snowball is, moreover, a most 
desirable sort for the home garden. The plants are compact, with few short, outside leaves and are well suited for close 
planting. The heads are of medium to large size, solid, compact, round, very white and curd-like and are developed earlier 
than those of any other sort. In our many comparative trials of samples from the best known growers and prominent 
seedsmen in Europe and America our stocks of Early Snowball have been unsurpassed by any in earliness. They also gave 
the highest percentage of well formed heads. After a careful inspection of the fields of the most expert Danish and other 
European growers we know we are in position to supply the most critical trade with seed which can be depended upon as 
the very best. Pkt. 25c; */ 4 Oz. $1.60; Oz. $5.50; 2 Oz. $10.50 
Early Snowball 
Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt heading early cauli¬ 
flower. It is of dwarf habit with short outside leaves and 
is similar in most respects to Early Snowball, and nearly as 
early. The heads when ready for market are of medium to 
large size. The curd is white, exceptionally deep and of finest 
quality. It will give excellent results either in the home 
garden or for market use and is superior to most seed sold 
at higher prices. Where extreme earliness is not the 
greatest consideration we recommend this strain after 
having proven it superior to many stocks offered as Snowball. 
Pkt. 25c; Va Oz. $1.60; Oz. $5.50; 20z. $10.50 
T a 1 • A valuable late sort, sure to head, of ex- 
Large Algiers cellent quality and popular with market 
gardeners. The plant is large but of upright growth, the 
leaves protecting the heads so that they will endure uninjur¬ 
ed a frost that would ruin most other sorts. This is one of the 
very best of the late varieties. Pkt. 10c; Oz. $2.00; 
2 Oz. $3.35 
w r .. , , . . /-*,• .A distinct and valuable 
Veitch 8 Autumn Liant late variety with long 
stems and dark green leaves. The heads are very large, 
white, firm and compact and being well protected by foliage, 
remain along time fit for use. The plants should be started 
and transplanted early in the season to insure their full de¬ 
velopment. Pkt. 10c; Oz. $2.00; 2 Oz. $3.35 
