212 7 [ ASSEMBLY 
of which twenty-eight formed heads of merchantable size. On plat 
B, twenty-tive plants survived, of which twenty-four formed heads 
of merchantable size. On plat O, twenty-nine plants survived, of 
which twenty-eight formed heads of merchantable size. We note 
the average weight in ounces of the heads in the different plats, with 
their average diameter, as follows: 
Av. weight. Av. diameter- 
Mal abet OO TICACS os Se ks cls yee eee es 42.64 oz. . 6.86 inches. 
Ono re UO coe Se ce oe ae enero 46.04 oz. 6.00 do. 
PIERO OG, 3 25s Fe atwcnitie Aire eee 48.96 oz. 6.41 do. 
While we cannot regard a single experiment’ as in any sense 
conclusive, the indications in this case are that the sulphate of iron 
applied proved detrimental. The number of plants that headed, 
and the solidity and weight of the heads were least in plat A, which 
received only the sulphate of iron, and most in plat C, which re- 
ceived the superphosphate, while in plat B, which received both 
fertilizers, the average weight of the heads was intermediate. 
GROWING THE CABBAGE FROM SLIPS. 
Were it possible to readily propagate the cabbage from sections 
of the leaf, as florists propagate the Begonia, there would be many 
advantages in the method. We should be able to avoid, in a great 
degree, the variations caused by cross-fertilization or reversion, which . 
so often injure the progeny of our best varieties. ‘The market gar- 
dener could propagate his plants from his finest heads, and be rea- 
sonably sure of securing equally good heads, while varieties might 
be expected to come as true to name, as do those of the apple or 
geranium. 
During the past two seasons we have been experimenting in this 
direction. We have succeeded in growing several plants, and in one 
instance a fine head of cabbage, by slipping a section of a leaf from 
a cabbage head, in the propagating bed. We have thus demon- 
strated the possibility of this method of propagation. Thus far, 
however, so great a length of time has intervened between the root- 
ing of the slip and the formation of the bud, as to render the method 
impracticable for economic purposes. Whether we shall be able to 
shorten this time by selecting the plants that start soonest, through 
a number of generations, is the important question. 
For a record of our experiments upon the cabbage caterpillar, see 
the article upon insecticides. 
CAULIFLOWER. 
We grew the following twenty so-called varieties of cauliflower, 
on soil prepared as described for the cabbage. The seeds were 
planted March 5 and 6 in boxes in the green-house, and eleven 
plants of each name transplanted to the garden May 2. We noted 
the statistics given in the table. : 
