The Cauliflower

e, especially under unfavorable conditions, and the readiness with which they may be improved by selection, has given rise within recent years to numerous so called v

me, but which have not possessed sufficient distinctive merit. Some varieties, from not having been kept up to their original sta

ts of a variety, but it will form a better basis for judgment than would a mere descriptive list, without reference to dates or authorities. It is practically impossible to make a satisfactory classification which will include all the varieties, and they have therefore been arranged here in alphabetical order, as being most convenient for reference. Nearly all of the most popular varieties have, however, characters suffic

In each of these groups there is a series of varieties, differing mainly in size and earliness. In the Erfurt group the production of early varieties has been carried farthest, owing doubtless to the character of the climate, as well as the greater skill empl

e Laing's E

a sport from the finest German strain of the selected Dwarf Erfurt, one extra fine head appearing some ten days in advance of any other in the crop of one of

Long Island gardeners until 1889, at which time there were said to be hundreds of ac

Veitch's Autumn Giant]; leaves very large, undulate, almost curly, of a very deep and reflective glaucous green; stem large and strong, rather tall; head remarkably large, fine and white. In

gigantic size; leaves large, long and numerous, of a glaucous green, and surrounding well the head, which becomes as large as those of our native varietie

s, describes it as a French variety of the same season as Lenormand Short-stem, but a surer producer, having taken the place there of other second-early kinds since its introduction. At the Ohio experiment station it proved unsuited to the climate. A writer in the Americ

given remarkably good results. It is a little below medium height, and has a very short stem. Its oblong leaves are of a light grayish green. The head is of medium size, very white, fine grained, of first quality, and early. It is a variety of great promise. This is the statement of the

eaves long, entire or very little lobated, of a grayish-green color, forming a close protection to

a variety named Alma, probably the same, growing at Paris in 1857 (see Jour. Cent. Soc. Hort. France, 1857, p. 422). In 1865 Waite's Alma was consid

he editor of the Country Gentleman, in 1861. Mr. Ingell, who named the variety, does not state whether he grew the se

ormand, see

Extra Early Erfurt, this and other mid-season varieties are more often called "late." The Asiatic seems to have originated from the Early London, of which it is regarded as merely a stronger growing and later variety. The first mention I find of it is in Hovey's Magazine, in 1845, where Large Asiatic and Walcheren are called the two most noted varietie

dition, the actual date here referred to was probably much earlier. Three other varieties, scarcely differing in character, are mentioned-the Early, Late and Reddish-stalked. The Large

see Veitch's

hern regions, and which I propose to name Baltic Giant, is very hardy, of robust growth, and produces very large and solid dazzling white flower-heads. A friend of mine writes from the Baltic island of Bornholm that

ize and quality it resembles the Snowball."

ety mentioned in Gardening

ost curly; differs from all other cauliflowers in the color of its head, which is violet, and with a grain much coarser than in other varieties, while it is sufficiently close, solid and large. Not very l

erly extensively cultivated around Boston, where it originated by continued selection from the Ea

1886, after, as they say, sixteen years selection by one grower. It is said to be of dwarf, compact

rad Company sell

few days later than Early [Extra Early] Erfurt, but quite as good in other respects. At the Colorado station, in 1888, "Bu

urt, said by Wm. Elliott & Sons, of New York,

.-Gregory considers this a fine va

in just after Carter's Defiance. Plant dwarf, h

1889, to have large, close, white heads, both flower

. Blanc, se

o be as white as snow, almost as smooth as ivory, and to make good heads in s

talogued in Bailey's "Annal

tioned in Vick's Magazine for 1887, p. 52, as bei

Vienna, in 1888, to be a beautiful ear

1, who says he has tested it for two seaso

third on the list of early varieties, placing Carter's Extra Early Defiance first, and Veitch's Extra Early second. It appears to be fully as dwarf as the earliest Erfurts, and to have a little larger head. It has been said, even by the introducer, to be the English duplicate of the Early Dwarf Erfurt, but there is no doubt of its distinctness from th

s still one of the best early varieties, especially for hot weather and light soils. Mr. Dean states that it is about

Eclipse, s

two feet apart each way; always sure to make large, fine heads earlier than any other, and is the market-gardener's favorite. This variety must be kept growing constantly, as

duced heads fit for use eighteen days later than He

popular early variety grown. It is similar in habit to its parent, the Early Erfurt, but more dwarf, and the leaves smaller and more upright, allowing the plants to be set closer together. The heads are close and well formed, but do not

rt. Burpee calls his Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt "the finest of all early cauliflowers." He, as well as some other seedsmen, sell differ

rly Dwarf Erfurt proved to be the earliest variety grown. It is best grown as

d is well rounded, very regular, of remarkable whiteness, and very fine and close. It readily attains a diameter of fifteen to twenty centimeters [about five to seven inches]. This variety is especially adapted to forcing, as

ore of years, and yet I have seen a surprisingly grand field of cauliflowers, of an improved strain of the Early Dwarf Erfurt variety, grown in a stiff clayey soil, very dry in the surface, not in the best state of cultivation, and without any artificial watering whatever. The roots of the plants were 'pu

rly Dwarf Erfurt was slightly earlier than the Early Dwar

e Early Puritan, Early Padilla, Long Island Beauty, Early Sea Foam, Early Snowball and Vick's Ideal. These all

this country, the following list of Erfurt varieties will be useful for reference. The first th

rfurt M

y Er

f Er

(Johnson

in D

arly (

ara

ge (Tho

l (V

eri

na (Till

Favorite

eth's

nd Beauty

(Nor

(Tilli

e (M

an (F

am (Ra

Leaved

all (

l (Hend

ll (Th

orm (D

orm (P

om the English Specialty & Novelty Seed Co., was the only one among nine variet

eaume, se

utton), see Carte

arieties for Central France in the Annales de la Soci

at the base for a considerable distance. The head is hard and solid, yet very large. It is a half-late variety. In its original country it does better than the French varieties and it is cultivated on a grand scale around Leyden. Large quantities are shipped to England, where it is found i

ays: "Stem very short, head rather large, grain white and very close

cing (Sutton).-

from Vilmorin, which headed well at t

isz, of Vienna, to be an old superior sort

ved from that. The heads of the Early Erfurt are large and fine-grained but more inclined to be open and leafy than those of Early Paris. It is a little earlier than that variety. Vilmorin describes the Early Erfurt as follows: "Very early, distinct, and valuable, but difficult to keep pure. Below medium height; stem rathe

est variety then known, being two weeks earlier than Salomon (Early Paris) and v

s, of superior quality. The plants are low and close, and generally form a head, even in protracted dry and warm weather. It appe

tion is sold under this name by A. B. Cle

vertised in English Catalogues:

inest, whitest and most compact grown." At the Ohio experiment station in 1889 it was apparently the same as the ordi

den, see

and England. Vigorous and hardy, with large, abundant, deep-green, undulated foliage; stem rather tall, but shorter than that of Early Dutch;

same as Early Dutch, whi

ket (Gregory), s

orm of Early London, cultivated some tw

und, in the State of Washington. Mr. H. A. March, of Fidalgo, Washington, who states that he grows all of Tillinghast's Puget Sound cauliflower seed, says that Early Padilla originated with him from the Large Erfurt, and

ed by Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt, while the variety obtained as Long Island Beauty was the earliest of the nine early varieties on

pecimen of the Long Island Beauty made fine heads, and the heads averaged larger than any other sort. It is amo

riter from seed obtained for several years of James Vick, the Early Paris was later than Early Erfurt, but more certain to head, the heads more globular, a little smaller, decidedly lighter in weight than those of that variety, of better quality, and almost

or September." In this country, when used as a fall crop, no complaint is made of the heads not remaining firm. Sown in May in the latitude of New York it heads in September and October. M. May, of France, describes this variety as follows in the Revue Horticole for 1880: "An early variety grown by gardeners in the outskirts of Paris. It has nearl

gives a full account of cauliflower culture and says: "We cultivate two distinct varietie

atalogues the Extra Early and the

Sea Foam, etc., having taking its place." D. M. Ferry & Co. sell a variety called "Early Paris or Nonpareil," the latter name having been first given by J. M. Thorburn & Co. to the Half Early Paris. There is no doubt, however, of the Early and Half Early Paris bei

n 1889 as a new early variety with lar

9, the others being Early Erfurt, Snowball, and Vick's Ideal. At the Ohio station the same year

rowing plant found in a large crop of Snowball during the summer of 1886. The seed from this plant was saved, and selections made from the product until a sufficient quantity was secured. It was

ge 122, that this variety originated with him fr

ety often sold as Snowball in the past in this country. Henderson's Early Snowball is, however, now sold under tha

rain of Snowball which they sell. All varieties bearing this o

heren, see

y Dickson Brown & Tait. It is similar to Veitch's Autumn Giant, but about three weeks earlier. It is said to be a fine variety, with large head

ies are characterized by light pea-green co

Alleaume,

Forcing.-Probabl

Erfurt, see

but it is probably the one given in his catalogue under the name of "Extra Earliest Pa

flower is undoubtedly the best in cultivation. It is the earliest grown, produces the finest snow-

sse Favorite, Haskel's Fav

t, see Veitch'

White French and

al (Thorburn)

hort, and plant of compact habit. The heads are large and close, and their color clear and delic

entions it as the earliest variety grown, to be followe

liable header, closely resembling Early Paris. At the C

autiful white heads of excellent flavor. Though dwarf,

s Autumn Giant, but later. It is doubtless the original, of which the Autumn Giant is a slightly improved form. M. May said of Giant Naples, in 1880: "Ver

ell and formed good heads, free from intermixed leaves, where nearly all other sorts failed. "It is a superior selected strain of Early

he Gardener's Chronicle, in 1870, as earl

d Weisz, of Vienna, to be an excellent s

z, of Vienna, to have large, compact he

for forcing."-(Frederick Adolph A.

in 1891, catalogued Half Early Large French,

ety catalogued without description b

rench (Vilmorin, Andrieu

ws: "Plant medium; leaves rather large, of a deep, slightly glaucous green, surrounding the head well, and gradually reflexed from the base to the apex; border undulate and coarsely dentate, stem rather sho

ter like the Early Paris; (2) in February, in a hot-bed, or under hand-glasses or frames, to be gathered in June and July; (3) at the first of March, also in hot-bed, to be set out in April and gathered in July; (4) finally, i

is, was applied by Ribaud, in 1852, to a separate variety (Annales de la Société d' Horti

usually sold in this country as Early Paris, the true variety making so small a head as t

; head close, solid, and remaining a long time in good condition. This variety, which is extensively cultivated around St. Brieuc, [on the nort

e, in 1880, as "a hardy, but late variety, inferior in its he

t station in 1886, this v

4, and the first heads cut July 13-from which time the plants continued to head along through the season. The introducer, George S. Haskell, of Rockford, Ill., writes: "The Early Favorite we sell is a variety I found in H

lin Dwarf, Extra Early Erfurt, and Sea Foam. Henderson & Co. state that it is now grown for forcing more largely than any other variety. It is also considerably grown in field culture, not only for the early crop, for which it is especially suited, but also for the late crop, the plants being set out as late as the fi

Early Snowball, and it is the one now usually referred to

ra Early] Erfurt is probably better known than the parent variety. The true Henderson's Early Snowball is unexcelled, b

n's stock has been grown at Puget Sound, and is claimed to be as good as the original. Several other sorts, including Purita

ee Vick'

a little more vigorous, and producing a little larger heads, which is without doubt a result of culture, for in head and leaf it wh

and solid, and remarkable for its regularity of growth and product. When well grown it is certainly among the most desirable early varieties." Thorburn considers it one of

ty (Landreth),

y Paris, see

Italian Self-protecting." The early form or variety seems to be the most generally sold by our seedsmen, and is perhaps the one indicated when the simple name Italian Giant is used. Gregory calls the Early Italian Giant a "fine, large white-headed early Variety." Frotzer says it is not quite so late a

' Early Alabaste

e Sutton

e compact snow-white heads of excellent flavor.

Tillinghast, about 1884, and said to be a lit

tation in 1885, it was equal in earliness to the Early

iers, see

atic, see

ied to the ordinary Early Erfurt, i

Erfurt (Thorburn),

riment station, in 1882. In 1885 a small proportion of

rt type, succeeding admirably at times, but not to be depended on, and

Algiers,

Asiatic,

cheren (Dreer)

variety, catalogued by Gregory and othe

ut apparently no longer grown. The Gardener's Chronicle for 1

it for the past three years and finds it a good variety, with close white heads of moderate size, prot

ld by several American seedmen. P

ort-stem, see Len

ry).-No description. See As

ers from the Half Early Paris, especially in being a little later, and in having its head remain hard and solid a long time; but it is

Paris. The gardeners use it only for the summer sowing to come at t

eren, see

s for Central France in 1852, the others being Demi-dur

n in 1885, it was rather early. Probably the same as the "Lemait

iety, principally because of its beauty and its great hardiness against cold. The Lenormand is in appearance but little different from the Half Early Paris (Demi-dur). The leaves are only a little

ociety upon this variety as grown on the grounds of M. Lenormand near Paris, it having been introduced by that gentleman in 1852 from Halle, in Central Germany, where it was then lar

uently mentioned, as long ago as 1858, with the Early Paris as one of th

y short, strong and stocky, is furnished down to the level of the earth with short, large, rounded leaves, slightly undulated except on the borders, very firm and stiff, and more spreading than upright; color deep green, slightly glaucous; head very large and

pular variety for a fall crop, especially at the South. Its large, solid, cream-colored heads a

s to be a selection from the Lenormand Short-stem. It is offered under the second of t

s of Long Island Beauty obtained from Low appeared to be an inferior stock, and gave

(Burpee), se

his variety stood the exceptionally dry season better than Best of All, Snowbal

ze Earliest

bouquet not large, but handsome and compact. It is so firm that it remai

er to secure a variety which we could identify with our name. We have never been fully satisfied until two years ago, when we received from a foreign grower a sample for trial. Upon testing this seed in our experimental grounds we found it so desirable that we arranged for the stock

Early [Extra Early] Erfurt and seems to be identical wi

inest for forcing, or the general crop. Stem medium; heads large,

, Carter's Mt. Blanc resembled Perfection

, see Veitch'

rfurt, see Smal

aving well-filled heads, often nine inches in diameter. Highly recomm

a distinct variety. At the New York experiment station, in 1885, a variety called Thorburn's Nonpareil matured among the half-early sorts at the same time as Lenormand Short-s

& Goodwin Co.'s

see Early

catalogued by Wolfner and

ads, usually classed with the Brocco

see Ear

ty, introduced by these seedsmen, of London, Canada, 1886, appear

out about eight years ago; said by some to be too ne

experiment station in 1890, it was found to be equally good with Snowball, and similar in growth to M

he first in the field to form a head by over a week, I naturally saved it for 'stock seed,' and as it propagated itself perfectly

is proved to be a large, rather early sort. Vilmorin includes it

-An Erfurt variety sent out, by

see Early

very compact, with large, firm, well-rounded heads, pure white, and of the best quality. At

which failed to head well at the N

see Half Ear

st" in having very narrow, pointed leaves which grow perfectly upright, thus adapting it for close cultivation or for forcing. It grows rapidly,

late variety usually cl

see Earl

he stem is a little shorter than that of other Holland cauliflowers [which have rather tall stems], and the leaves are more undulated on the border." The Stadtholder appears to be a good sort, b

ee Early Dw

to be seven to twelve days earlier than Early London, of leve

y dwarf and compact, having snowy white heads, and so few

utifully white heads. Endures drouth well. Said to produce a greater weight on a given area than other market, it is considered equal, if not superior, to the Walcheren." Vilm

as the finest and most delicately flavored variety we have grown." Heads large, firm, snowy white; plan

early dwarf variety mentio

orburn, in 1891, and said to be ver

owball (Thorburn, 1

. It is a little later and larger than the common Snowball, and can be left longer in the field without de

onpareil, se

nt and Walcheren, and was larger than either of those. At the same station in 1885 a variety called Wonderful,

inest strain of the Earliest Dwarf Erfurt, imported from Erfurt Germany. This strain has been imported by hi

n as this. It was introduced into England about 1869, since when it has become very popular there for a late crop and for summer. It is

all, leaves abundant, somewhat undulated, of a deep green. The interior leaves turn in well over the head, which is very large, solid, and white. It is a late

which I had the honor to present to the Central Horticultural Society of France at its meeting on August 25, 1883. Some of these cauliflowers were 35 to 38 centimeters [more than a foot] in diameter, and weighed, including stem and leaves, 12 to 13 kilograms [nearly 30 pounds] which is extraord

Autumn Giant differ materiall

meters [nearly three feet], by 40 centimeters broad. It is then that extra care should be given. The waterings ought to be copious and frequent, especially at the time of the formation of the heads, when I apply about 10 to 15 litres of water to each head every other day. This, which certainly contributed to the good result, is how I grew my plants. I chose good soil, which I prepared during the winter, placing in the bottom of the furrow a good thickness of manure, and a month before planting, or even at the time of doing so, I spread on the surface a covering of decomposed manure, which I incorporated with the soil by means of ordinary tillage. I visited th

nts which are to head in August and September, and which give my best returns. A final sowing ma

market-gardening of the country when, probably in the near future, there shall have been

, and it is well adapted for forcing."-(Gardening Illustrated, 1885, p. 427). It is favorably mentioned by several writers in th

Pearl,

in 1874, to be a new variety, just tested by Mr. Veitch, m

ity of heads, earliness, and protective habit of inner leaves." Further tests by himself and others he says substantiate these claims. The plants are said to be very dwarf, with erect outer leaves. At the Ne

Weisz, of Vienna, in 1888, at the highes

warf, see Earl

Alma,

heren Broccoli. There seems to have originally been two varieties, Early and Late. The earliest appearance of the name Walcheren that I have seen is in an advertisement

ed from all others by its bluntly rounded and broad leaves, and the closeness and almost snowy whiteness of its heads, eve

cauliflower. He describes it as resisting both cold and drouth better than other varieties, "ste

occolis, with which latter it is often classed. Stem high and strong, leaves elongated, rather stiff and upright, abundant, and of a slightly grayish green. The head forms very late, and is fine, large, and very white, of fi

as a favorite, very hardy, late variety. It is sold by most of our seedsmen, but is less popular in this country than in England. Sutton, the English seedsman, describes it

e, England, in The Garden, Feb. 9, 1878: "An excellent compact variety; stands the drought r

as thirteen inches diameter; very dwarf, the stem not more than two or three inches from the soil, but with ample foliage; one of the hardiest varieties known, and sa

in 1871, speaks of it as larger than

ee Thorburn'

OF EAR

ness, as near as can be determined. Many well known kinds are omitted, and some

Dwarf

Early

y Lo

ia

y Er

y Pa

nd Shor

e P

Br

gi

s Autum

t Na

Self-Pr

talian

che

ETY

April 16, and eleven plants of each variety set out May 15. One variety, however, Rice's

. of plants. No. of heads. Diam

rs 15

n Late

Dwarf 1

Defiance

warf Mammo

warf Erfur

rly Dwarf

utch 14

ondon 1

ly Paris

sland 1

al 119

ant White

e London

te French

Short-Stem

nt Snowbal

ll 128

lder 12

Wonderful

utumn Gian

ren 12

It appears from the table that some of the varieties called "late," formed heads earlier than others called "early." The Lenormand Ext

in days. Plants su

Erfurt

or Early L

rf Surpri

se 16

arge White F

ly Paris

ial 1

anna 1

lgiers

te Asiat

e Stadtho

nt Itali

aris 1

s Extra La

Short-Stem

tra Earl

oam 1

Autumn Gi

f Alleaum

eren

4. The plants of Algiers and Le Maitre Pied Court were transplanted May 20, and those of the Wonderful May 21. The plants were set in rows three and one-hal

first head July 8, or ninety-seven days from sowing the seed. The heads also were rather above th

s these varieties require a long season, that this early planting would give the best results, enabling them to attain their full developm

of plants. No. of heads.

Aug. 14

e Sept.

ant Sept.

Sept. 15

t. Brieuc Sep

ur d'Holland)

urt (Thorburn)

furt (Vilmorin

don Aug.

is July 2

pus Aug.

ball July

rfurt (Hend'son

Erfurt (Thorb'n)

Paris (Vilmorin

Paris July

'ly Dwarf Erfurt

arf French Ju

is (Thorburn)

is (Vilmorin)

arly Snowball

Aug. 10

First Jul

London Oct

Asiatic Aug

Naples Oc

is Aug.

holder Oct

ed Court Aug

Sept. 15

tem'd (Hend'son

tem'd (Vilmorin

ir de Sicilie)

onpareil Aug

mn Giant Sept

enderson) Se

Vilmorin) A

ul Oct.

lants set out June 23, two by three and one-half feet. All the varieties headed well, except

o. of plants. No. of h

nowstorm Dreer

f Erfurt Vaug

Erfurt Tillingh

ball Thorburn.

Snowb'l Henders

uty Tillinghast

eauty Bragg.

lla Tillinghas

as sown in frames April 23, and the plants set out June 22. The Early Erfurt

lants. Fit for table use. Num

ch

n Ferry. 20

March. 20 A

arch. 20 A

l Vick. 20

en from the above table that these varieties headed with greater uniformity and fr

ay 7. They were irrigated at planting time, and on May 14 and 28, June 11, July 5 and 20, August 3 and 15 and on September 5. The area in crop was one-third of an acre and the stand nearly perfect. The plants were hoed twice and cultivated six times. The soil, a clay loam, was lacking

and Early London, two varieties which have long b

from Heads m

y 20. Heads compact, very whit

. Aug. 6. Heads fairly sol

h. Aug. 24. Heads solid an

Ferry. - No

. 6. Heads compact, very whit

Gregory. - N

. July 24. Heads large and co

e. July 30. Heads compac

20. Heads solid and white

g. 24. Heads loose, yellow

Heads solid and large, plant

ndreth. - No

Oct. 10. Heads fairly comp

Ferry. - No

Aug. 24. Heads solid, very

6. Heads solid, yellow

the geographical centre of the Lower Peninsula. It is, therefore, remote from any large body of water, and although the soil in that por

ican grown seeds, from H. A. March, of Fidalgo, Washington, were large and plump and gave strong vigorous plants, and as good or better results than is usually obtained from imported seed. The following varieties were sown March 13, and

cut for one's own use, that is when they had attained the size of one's two fists. "Mark

plants, March 29. Edible maturity. Mark

Burpee. Small; eve

Good; even. Ju

t Maule. Good; even.

f March. Small. even

son. Very weak; uneve

ry. Small; even.

n. Weak; uneven.

Maule. Small; somewhat

Good; even. Ju

ST VAR

rliest variety obtainable should be used, as our springs at the North are short enough at best. The Earliest Dwarf Erfurt strains include nearly all the earliest varieties now grown, and, for this country, at least, are the best. The typical variety is usually sold under the name Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt, and if properly selected seed is secured, this is nearly or quite as early as any of the strains which have received special names. Among the b

and Lenormand Short-stem, have been, and are still, popular, especially at the South. At present probably more than three-fourths of the cauliflowers grown i