1 Fes., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. re 103 
any kind, whether caused by want of water, poverty of soil, or from whatever 
reason occurring, means serious injury to the crop, and aconsequent diminution 
of profits. Cultivation should be thorough and pretty deep until the plants 
begin to head, or until the leaves spread so much that they are liable to be 
broken by the cultivating implements. As soon as any signs of heads forming 
are noticed, cultivation may cease, because, if still carried on, there is a 
tendency for the heads to grow loose and coarse instead of firm and compact. 
At this stage, however, water is more essential than ever, and a good watering 
with liquid manure twice a week will add greatly both to the bulk and quality 
of the crop. 
Now, it must be remembered that the market value of cauliflowers depends 
entirely on their being of fair size, and white and tender. If not well looked 
after now, the heads wiil become yellow in colour, with a disagreeable flavour, 
and more or less tough. 
To prevent this, as soon as the heads begin to form, the leaves ought to be 
drawn together at the top, and tied or skewered over the heads. ‘Chis will 
protect them from the sun, and cause them to be properly blanched. 
The plants should now be inspected every day, all those that require tying 
up, attended to, and all that are fit to cut, harvested. 
It is best to cut early in the morning, cauliflowers harvested while the dew 
is on the plants keeping fresh for a longer period than if left until the sun 
gets hot. 
The following indications will show when a head is ready to cut: :— 
The Jeaves bulge out considerably at the base, and the head begins to lose 
the polished, smooth appearance which has hitherto characterised it, and 
becomes grained and somewhat irregular. To examine the heads, it is not 
necessary to untie the top leaves, but part them at the side, so that, if not quite 
ready, cutting may be deferred until the next day. Cut with 2 or 3 inches of 
stall and two or three circles of the leaves. 
Handle very carefully, and take care not to bruise the heads in any way, as 
even a slight bruise soon becomes black, and detracts greatly from the market 
yalue. 
Small crates should be used for cauliflowers, the large crates used for 
cabbages holding so many cauliflowers that their weight causes them to bruise 
and injure each other. 
INSECT PESTS. 
Both cabbage and cauliflower are subject to the attacks of insect pests. 
Young seedling plants are often attacked by a small grub which eats the 
heart right. out. When the plants are more mature they are attacked by a 
species of moth, the Jarve of which riddle the leaves and render them yery 
unsightly. 
Spraying with Paris green in the seed bed, or dipping the young plants in 
tobacco water or tar water before planting, will usually be sufficient for the 
firstnamed pest. Paris green sprayed on the plants immediately the larve are 
discovered on the leaves will destroy most of the second. 
Aphides frequently are a source of trouble, and if not promptly dealt with 
they increase with amazing rapidity. Weak kerosene emulsion or tobacco 
~ water will destroy aphides easily, but as in the case of all other pests it ought 
to be tackled as soon as it makes its appearance. Sometimes only one or two 
plants in a field are found infested with aphides, and in this case they should be 
pulled up at once and destroyed, as by so doing the pest may be prevented from 
spreading. It must be borne in mind that Paris green, being an arsenical 
poison, must not be used on crops of this kind within five or six weeks of their . 
being ready for market. Where practicable, it is advisable to alter the ocation 
of the cabbage and cauliflower crops every season, as by so doing the danger 
from insect pests is considerably lessened. 
