This variety was formerly sold by many seedsmen simply as Early Snowball, and it is the one now usually referred to when the name Early Snowball is used, (See Early Snowball.)
W. J. Green, of the Ohio experiment station, says of Henderson's Snowball: "This justly celebrated strain of Early [Extra Early] Erfurt is probably better known than the parent variety. The true Henderson's Early Snowball is unexcelled, but there are other strains, and other varieties even,that have been sent out under this name, which are very inferior."
The stock of this variety is now all controlled Peter Henderson & Co., and is grown in Germany. Seed descended from Henderson's stock has been grown at Puget Sound, and is claimed to be as good as the original. Several other sorts, including Puritan, Padilla and Gilt Edge, have been derived from Henderson's Snowball, which sometimes mature quite as early as this variety.
Ideal, seeVick's Ideal.
Imperial.—May says, in theRevue Horticole, for 1880: "A variety which seems to have originated from the Early Dwarf Erfurt, being a little more vigorous, and producing a little larger heads, which is without doubt a result of culture, for in head and leaf it wholly resembles the Erfurt. It is an excellent variety, employed in the same manner as the Erfurt, and deserves extended cultivation."
Vilmorin says: "This fine variety resembles the Dwarf Early Erfurt, but it is of deeper green, and every way larger. It is an early variety with beautiful white head, large 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 the best for the main crop. It originated about 1870. It matured in one season eighteendays and in another thirty-two days before the Lenormand.—(The Garden, 1878, p. 2).
Imperial Novelty(Landreth), seeImperial.
Improved Early Paris, seeBoston Market.
Italian Giant.—There are two or more forms of this variety in the market. For example: Vick sells "Italian Giant;" Gregory, "Italian Early Giant;" the Plant Seed Company, "Italian Early Giant Autumnal;" Vilmorin, "Half-Early Italian Giant (new);" Frotzer, "Late Italian Giant;" and Vilmorin, "Late Giant 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 as the Late Italian, almost as large, and in every way satisfactory. The Late Italian Giant, he says, is grown to a considerable extent in the neighborhood of New Orleans, and is the largest of all the cauliflowers and should not be sown later than June, as it requires from seven to nine months to head.
Johnson & Stokes' Early Alabaster, seeAlabaster.
King, seeSutton's King.
Knickerbocker.—An early Variety with "fine large compact snow-white heads of excellentflavor."—(E. & W. Hackett, Adelaide, Australia, 1889).
Lackawanna.—All American variety sent out by Tillinghast, about 1884, and said to be a little larger and later than Henderson's Snowball.
Landreth's First.—As grown at the New York experiment station in 1885, it was equal in earliness to the Early Dwarf Erfurt, and surpassed only by Henderson's Snowball.
Large Algiers, seeAlgiers.
Large Asiatic, seeAsiatic.
Large Erfurt.—A name sometimes applied to the ordinary Early Erfurt, in distinction from the Dwarf Erfurt.
Large Early Dwarf Erfurt(Thorburn), seeEarly Erfurt.
Large Early London.—Failed to head at the New York experiment station, in 1882. In 1885 a small proportion of the plants headed; it was the latest among 38 varieties.
Large Early White Erfurt.—Brill calls this the lowest grade of the Erfurt type, succeeding admirably at times, but not to be depended on, and apt to grow with small fine leaves through the heads. See Early Erfurt.
Large Late Algiers, seeAlgiers.
Large Late Asiatic, seeAsiatic.
Large Late Walcheren(Dreer), seeWalcheren.
Large White French.—A fine large white variety, catalogued by Gregory and others in 1890. Vilmorin calls it half-early.
Largest Asiatic.—Taller and larger than the common Asiatic, but apparently no longer grown. TheGardener's Chroniclefor 1848 mentions its being sold by Messrs. Schertzer, of Haarlem.
Laing's Early Advance.—A writer in theGardener's Chronicle, for 1891, p. 121, states that he has grown it for the past three years and finds it a good variety, with close white heads of moderate size, protected by many well-incurved leaves, and ready for use about five months from the time of sowing the seed.
Late Dutch(Large Late Dutch).—Sold by several American seedmen. Probably distinct from Early Dutch.
Late Lenormand Short-stem, seeLenormand Short-Stem.
Late London(Burpee and Ferry).—No description. See Asiatic and Large Early London.
Late Paris(Dur de Paris).—This, said Vilmorin in 1883, is the latest variety cultivated by the market gardeners around Paris. It differs 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 also distinguished by theappearance of its foliage, which is quite abundant, elongated, very much undulated, and of an intense green.
This variety is the least cultivated of the three generally grown at Paris. The gardeners use it only for the summer sowing to come at the end of the season. It is now being supplanted by other late sorts.
Late Walcheren, seeWalcheren.
Lefevre.—Said to have been one of the best four varieties for Central France in 1852, the others beingDemi-dur de Paris(Half Early Paris), Early Duke, andGros Salomon.
Le Maitre Pied Court.—As grown at the New York experiment station in 1885, it was rather early. Probably the same as the "Lemaitre" or Chambourcy Short-Stemmed, catalogued by Vilmorin in 1890.
Lenormand(Ancient Lenormand,Late Lenormand,Lenormand Extra Large,Lenormand Mammoth).—Vilmorin said, in 1883: "It is now a score of years since the attention of the trade was called to this variety, 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 larger. It certainly requires a little less care than other varieties, but its chief meritis having given birth to the Lenormand Short-stemmed, which is to-day one of the most generally prized."
M. May describes and figures this variety in theRevue Horticolefor 1880. In theJournal of the Central Horticultural Society of Francefor 1857 is a report of a committee of that society 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 largely cultivated. The committee made a very flattering report, finding the Lenormand much finer than the other varieties, Half Early Paris, Erfurt, and Alma, growing in the same field.
In this country the Lenormand was formerly a popular variety, being frequently mentioned, as long ago as 1858, with the Early Paris as one of the two best varieties. Since then it has been displaced by the following:
Lenormand Short-stem.—This variety, derived from the Lenormand, is described by Vilmorin in 1883 as follows: "The aspect of this variety is very characteristic, and enables it to be distinguished easily from all others when it is well grown. The stem, extremely 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 solid, beautifully white, and keeping in condition a long time. This variety is early, productive, hardy against cold and drouth, and requires comparatively little room. Its rapid extention in cultivation within the last few years is not therefore surprising."
Lenormand Short-stem
To this it may be added that the variety is sold by nearly all our American seedmen and is a popular variety for a fall crop, especially at the South. Its large, solid, cream-colored heads are not however as well protected by theleaves as those of most other medium early or late sorts.
Lenormand's Short-stemmed Mammoth(Lenormand's Extra Large Short-Stemmed).—This appears to be a selection from the Lenormand Short-stem. It is offered under the second of the above names by Vilmorin, and under the first by Gregory and other American seedsmen.
Long Island Beauty(Brill), seeEarly Padilla. At the Colorado station, in 1888, seeds of Long Island Beauty obtained from Low appeared to be an inferior stock, and gave heads which were loose and yellowish. For the origin of this variety see Early Padilla.
Malta Giant(Burpee), seeGiant Malta.
Martin's President.—As grown by Mr. R. Gilbert at Burghley, England, in 1885, this variety stood the exceptionally dry season better than Best of All, Snowball, Early Erfurt, or Veitch's Autumn Giant.—(Gardening Illustrated, 1885, p. 438).
Maule's Prize Earliest, seePrize.
Mitchell's Hardy Early.—Said by F. Burr, in 1866, to be "a new variety, bouquet not large, but handsome and compact. It is so firm that it remains an unusual length of time without running to seed or becoming pithy."
Model.—The Northrup, Braslan & Goodwin Co., of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the introducers of thisvariety, say in 1891: "The history of our Model cauliflower we can give you in a few words: We have for several years been testing cauliflower seed from as many growers as possible, in order 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 we are now selling, and which gives excellent satisfaction wherever grown. There are other varieties which produce as good heads and as early, but in our growths of this sort we have found a larger proportion of large, white, perfect heads than in any other strains we have tested."
Mohawk White Cap(Nellis).—"Rather larger and later than Early [Extra Early] Erfurt and seems to be identical with Snowball from the same firm."—(Ohio Exp. Station, 1889)
Mt. Blanc.—Said by Buist, in 1890, to be one of the largest and finest for forcing, or the general crop. Stem medium; heads large, snow-white, well protected by the leaves, and of delicate flavor.
At the Oregon experiment station, in 1890, Carter's Mt. Blanc resembled Perfection in growth, but had somewhat larger heads.
Naples, Giant, seeVeitch's Autumn Giant.
Narrow-Leaved Erfurt,seeSmall-Leaved Erfurt.
Ne Plus Ultra.—A fine early variety, derived from the Giant Naples, having well-filled heads, often nine inches in diameter. Highly recommended by Wolfner and Weisz of Vienna, but little grown in this country.
Nonpareil.—In most American catalogues this is given as synonymous with Half Early Paris. Buist and Rawson catalogue it as a separate variety, and Brill mentioned it in 1872 as 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-stem. J. M. Thorburn & Co. write me in 1891 that Nonpareil is a name which they gave to the Half Early Paris when they first introduced that variety to the trade in this country.
Northrup, Braslan & Goodwin Co.'s Model, seeModel.
Padilla, seeEarly Padilla.
Palermo Violet.—A variety catalogued by Wolfner and Weisz, of Vienna, in 1888.
Paques.—A variety with fine white heads, usually classed with the Broccolis. Catalogued by Vilmorin, in 1890.
Paris, seeEarly Paris.
Pearce's Snow-Storm(J. S. Pearce & Co.'sSnow-Storm).—This variety, introduced by these seedsmen, of London, Canada, 1886, appears from their description to be a selection from the Dwarf Erfurt.
Pearl(Veitch's Pearl).—A good second-early sort sent out about eight years ago; said by some to be too near King in character. It seems to be no longer grown.
Perfection(March's No. 9).—Received from H. A. March, of Fidalgo, Washington, and grown at the Oregon experiment station in 1890, it was found to be equally good with Snowball, and similar in growth to Mt. Blanc, but with a little smaller head. Mr. March writes me as follows, under date of April 3, 1891:
"My Early Perfection, or 'No. 9,' was a sport or, 'stray seed' found among some Erfurt Earliest Dwarf, imported seed; and being the 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, and as it was perfection itself, I named it Early Perfection. I am not aware of another by the name of Perfection in the market."
Picpus Early Hardy.—At the New York experiment station in 1885 this proved to be a large, rather early sort. Vilmorin includes it in his latest catalogue, but it is not in the American catalogues.
Prize(Maule's Prize Earliest).—An Erfurt variety sent out, by Wm. H. Maule, of Philadelphia.
Puritan, seeEarly Puritan.
Rawson's Extra Early Sea Foam.—Said by Rawson in 1886 to be the best forcing variety; dwarf, very compact, with large, firm, well-rounded heads, pure white, and of the best quality. At the Ohio experiment station in 1889 it appeared to be the same as Early [Extra Early] Erfurt.
Rice's Giant Snowball.—A late sort, which failed to head well at the New York experiment station in 1883.
St. Brieuc, seeHalf Early St. Brieuc.
Small-Leaved Erfurt(Earliest Dwarf Small-Leaved Erfurt,Narrow-Leaved Erfurt).—This, according to Brill, differs from "Erfurt Extra Dwarf Earliest" in having very narrow, pointed leaves which grow perfectly upright, thus adapting it for close cultivation or for forcing. It grows rapidly, which adapts it for spring cultivation; and for a fall crop it may be sown later than any other variety—on Long Island usually as late as July 1st.
Snow's Winter White.—A late variety usually classed with the Broccolis.
Snowball, seeEarly Snowball.
Stadtholder.—Burr, in 1866, said, "A recent variety introduced from Holland.... In the vicinity of London, where it is largely cultivated for themediate between the Early Dutch and Walcheren. The 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, but hardly equal to Autumn Giant and some others which protect the head better, and which have now largely displaced it in cultivation. It has never been grown to any extent in the United States.
Surprise, seeEarly Dwarf Surprise.
Sutton's Favorite.—Said by Sutton & Sons, of Reading, England, to be seven to twelve days earlier than Early London, of level and compact habit, and good to succeed Sutton's Magnum Bonum.
Sutton's First Crop.—Said to be the earliest to head, very dwarf and compact, having snowy white heads, and so few leaves that it may be planted closer than any other kind.
Sutton's King.—Said by Sutton & Sons to be "the best cauliflower for general use, coming in immediately after Sutton's Favorite. Plant dwarf and compact, with large, firm, beautifully 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." Vilmorin describes it as follows: "Very near Early Dutch, being distinguished mainly by being a few days later, being thusinter-variety. Heads have been grown weighing 28 pounds."
Sutton's Magnum Bonum.—Sutton in 1888 says: "We introduced this cauliflower to our customers last year as the finest and most delicately flavored variety we have grown." Heads large, firm, snowy white; plant medium early, of strong, dwarf, habit and broad leaves, which "are serviceable for shading the heads."
Sutton's Snowball.—A very early dwarf variety mentioned in theGardenin 1875.
Taranto.—Offered as new by J. M. Thorburn, in 1891, and said to be very large and to resemble Autumn Giant.
Thorburn's Early Snowball(Thorburn, 1890).—No description.
Thorburn's Gilt Edge.—Gregory says in 1890: "This is undoubtedly the finest strain of the Snowball variety. It is a little later and larger than the common Snowball, and can be left longer in the field without decaying. I considered it the best of all the dozen varieties raised in my experimental grounds this season."
Thorburn's Nonpareil, seeNonpareil.
Thorburn's Wonderful.—At the New York experiment station in 1883 this variety matured with Veitch's Autumn Giant and Walcheren, and was larger than either of those. At the same station in1885 a variety called Wonderful, probably the same, was the latest of 30 sorts, being sown March 30th, set out May 4th, and gathered Oct. 27th.
Vaughn's Earliest Dwarf Erfurt.—In his catalogue for 1891, Vaughn says that this is the highest priced and finest strain of the Earliest Dwarf Erfurt, imported from Erfurt Germany. This strain has been imported by him for several years. He remarks that many strains of Dwarf Erfurt are given special names by other seedsmen.
Veitch's Autumn Giant(Autumn Giant,Giant Naples,Frankfort Giant).—No other new variety of cauliflower has attracted so much attention 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 rather too late for the ordinary fall crop in this country, though a favorite with some growers on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
It was described by Vilmorin in 1883, as follows, under the name Giant Naples, but is now sold by him as Autumn Giant: "Plant large and vigorous, stem rather tall, 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 variety of the same period as Walcheren, but less hardy. At the north it can beemployed for the latest crop in open air culture by being sown in April or May."
In 1884 Vincent Berthault gave the following account of this variety in theRevue Horticole: "This variety is still rare and little known in France. I planted it last year for trial and obtained results which were the admiration of all who saw them. It was from my small crop that I took the four 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 extraordinary for this time of the year, when it is difficult to obtain cauliflowers of even ordinary size. At one time I feared that their size was to the detriment of their quality, but it has proved otherwise, and in all respects they are excellent, and as good as beautiful. In fact they are perfect.
"The general characters of the Autumn Giant differ materially from those of other varieties.
"The young seedlings become at once very tall and upright, and even after being set out and planted as deep as the first leaves they quickly assume their usual stellate appearance, and for about six weeks they are simply furnished witheight or ten long narrow leaves borne on a long stem. So up to this time the plants are not very promising, and one is tempted to pull them up; but after this the plants rapidly change in appearance; a dozen new leaves are quickly developed, and the plants take on a half-upright form which recalls that of the Half Early Paris variety. As to the head, it is more conical than flat. The leaves sometimes attain a length of 90 centimeters [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 the plantation every day, not only to destroy the caterpillars, but to cover the heads with leaves, which it was necessary to look after at least every other day in order to preserve the whiteness of the heads. These attentions are indispensable if one would secure a product of firstquality, free from insects. As to sowing the seed, it may be begun about the 15th of September, and the plants wintered over under hand-glasses, or in frames, to be set out in March, when heads will be obtained in July. The plants of this sowing may also be set in hot-beds in January and February, but this only in default of other varieties, for they will be too tall and spreading.
"It is in February, on a bed with mild heat and under glass, that I make my sowing to obtain plants which are to head in August and September, and which give my best returns. A final sowing may be made at the end of March or beginning of April; it matures its crop in October and November.
"My opinion of the Autumn Giant is that it is destined to play an important part in the market-gardening of the country when, probably in the near future, there shall have been produced dwarf varieties analogous to those which we already possess from other sorts."
Veitch's Early Forcing.—This variety "has small compact hearts, very close and white. The habit of the plant is dwarf and sturdy, and it is well adapted for forcing."—(Gardening Illustrated, 1885, p. 427). It is favorably mentioned by several writers in theGardener's Chroniclefor 1884 and 1885. In theGardenfor 1882 Veitch's Early is said to be two weeks earlier than Early London.
Veitch's Pearl,seePearl.
Veitch's Self-Protecting.—Said by theGardener's Chronicle, in 1874, to be a new variety, just tested by Mr. Veitch, much later than Autumn Giant, hardy, and very self-protecting.
Vick's Ideal.—James Vick says in 1890: "We introduced the 'Ideal' to public notice in 1886, and claimed for it superiority to any other variety in the following points: Reliability of heading, size and solidity 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 New York experiment station, in 1889, it was a few days later than the three other varieties on trial. At the Ohio station the same year it was considered one of the best strains of Early [Extra Early] Erfurt.
Vienna Child.—Catalogued by Wolfner and Weisz, of Vienna, in 1888, at the highest price, as a fine new market-garden sort.
Vienna Early Dwarf, seeEarly Dwarf Vienna.
Waite's Alma, seeAlma.
Walcheren.—This old German variety is intermediate in character between the true cauliflowers and the broccolis, and it has, from the first, been frequently called Walcheren Broccoli. There seems to have originally been two varieties, Early andLate. The earliest appearance of the name Walcheren that I have seen is in an advertisement of Walcheren cauliflower seed in theGardener's Chroniclefor 1844. Since that time it has remained one of the most reliable and popular varieties with English growers.
McIntosh, in his "Book of the Garden," in 1855, said that it was hard to get pure seed: "The true Walcheren is distinguished from all others by its bluntly rounded and broad leaves, and the closeness and almost snowy whiteness of its heads, even when grown to a large size." Others, before this, state that it was sold on the Continent under the name of Early Leyden.
Burr, in 1866, records it as synonymous with both Early Leyden, and Legge's Walcheren broccoli or cauliflower. He describes it as resisting both cold and drouth better than other varieties, "stem short, leaves broad, less pointed and more undulated than those of the cauliflower usually are."
Vilmorin described it in 1883 as synonymous with Walcheren Broccoli, known in Holland as Late Walcheren. He said: "The latest and most hardy of the cauliflowers, and therefore intermediate between the cauliflowers and the broccolis, with which latter it is often classed. Stem high and strong, leaves elongated, rather stiff and upright, abundant, and of a slightly grayish green. Thehead forms very late, and is fine, large, and very white, of fine close grain. The seed requires to be sown at Walcheren, [an island on the coast of Holland] in April, in order to be certain of heading before frost. If sown later it often passes the winter and heads early in the spring."
Sibley, in 1887, sold this variety under the name of Early Walcheren, though giving it the usual characters and season of the ordinary late sort. Buist, in 1890, mentions it 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 in his latest catalogue as an "excellent mid-season cauliflower." It is less liable to button in dry weather than most other varieties, but sometimes forms imperfect heads.
Webb's Early Mammoth.—A variety advertised as follows by Webb & Sons of Wordsley, Stourbridge, England, inThe Garden, Feb. 9, 1878: "An excellent compact variety; stands the drought remarkably well; heads large, firm, and beautifully white. The best of all for the main crop."
Wellington.—Introduced about 1860. Henderson & Co. describe it as the finest kind in cultivation; pure white; size of head over two feet in circumference, and as large as thirteen inches diameter; very dwarf, the stem not more than two or three inches from the soil, but with amplefoliage; one of the hardiest varieties known, and said to withstand well the variable climate of the United States. C. G. Anderson & Sons of England, in 1880, claimed it to be earlier, white, and closer than Early London.
A writer in theNew England Farmer, in 1871, speaks of it as larger than either Early Erfurt or Early Paris.
Wonderful, seeThorburn's Wonderful.
ORDER OF EARLINESS.
The following varieties cover the season, and are arranged in the order of earliness, as near as can be determined. Many well known kinds are omitted, and some little known sorts inserted, the only attempt being to form a scale of maturity:
Early Dwarf Erfurt.Extra Early Paris.Early London.Asiatic.Early Erfurt.Early Paris.Lenormand Short-Stem.Late Paris.St. Brieuc.Algiers.Veitch's Autumn Giant.Giant Naples.Veitch's Self-Protecting.Late Italian Giant.Walcheren.
VARIETY TESTS.
New York Experiment Station(Geneva).—In 1883 the following twenty-two varieties were sown April 16, and eleven plants of each variety set out May 15. One variety, however, Rice's Giant Snowball, was sown May 13, and set out June 20. Treatment was the same as for cabbage.
VARIETY.First head in days.No. of plants.No. of heads.Diameter of largest head in inches.Algiers159659Algerian Late142916Berlin Dwarf124825Carter's Defiance12476-Carter's Dwarf Mammoth124629Earliest Dwarf Erfurt1241047Erfurt Early Dwarf131635Early Dutch142736Early London129649Extra Early Paris142329Gerry Island133336Imperial1198710Italian Giant White1756110Large Late London128657Large White French105886Lenormand's Short-Stemm'd128558Rice's Giant Snowball152714Snowball128546Stadtholder128659Thorburn's Wonderful128446Veitch's Autumn Giant128636Walcheren128336
In 1884, the following twenty varieties were grown. The seeds were sown in a green-house March 5 and 6, and the plants set out May 2. It appears from the table that some of the varieties called "late," formed heads earlier than others called "early." The Lenormand Extra Large was the earliest, forming its first head in 149 days, the Lackawanna heading a day later. None of the heads were extra large:
VARIETY.First head in days.Plants survived.No. of heads.Dwarf Erfurt18244Early Dutch or Early London18054Early Dwarf Surprise17566Eclipse16276Half-Early Large White French19096Half-Early Paris19787Imperial16088Lackawanna15098Large Algiers18963Large Late Asiatic15644Large Late Stadtholder-83Late Giant Italian15488Late Paris17043Lenormand's Extra Large14976Lenormand's Short-Stemmed16186Paris Extra Early15466Sea Foam18232Veitch's Autumn Giant18263Very Dwarf Alleaume18986Walcheren18264
In 1885 the following varieties were planted in the green-house March 30, and sixteen plants of each, with a few exceptions, transplanted to the garden May 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-half feet apart, and eighteen inches apart in the rows. Many were destroyed by various causes, and though the places were twice reset there were many vacancies.
As will be seen, Henderson's Early Snowball (from Henderson in 1885) was the earliest, forming the first head July 8, or ninety-seven days from sowing the seed. The heads also were rather above the average in size. Extra selected Dwarf Erfurt was the second in earliness and every plant headed.
A notable fact brought out by this table is the effect of the early planting on the late and half-early varieties. It might be supposed, as these varieties require a long season, that this early planting would give the best results, enabling them to attain their full development. But it appears that it caused many of the plants to head prematurely when small, while it greatly prolonged the season of the variety.
VARIETY.First head.No. of plants.No. of heads.Average diameter of head.AlgiersAug. 1422197½AlleaumeSept. 24547Autumn GiantSept. 2417177D'AlgerSept. 1514127½Demi dur de St. BrieucSept. 1511117Early Dutch (dur d'Holland)Aug. 251285Early Dwarf Erfurt (Thorburn)July 1311117½Early Dwarf Erfurt (Vilmorin)July 13545½Early LondonAug. 2516127½Early ParisJuly 251165½Early PicpusAug. 512108Early SnowballJuly 3117157Extra E. Dw'f Erfurt (Hend'son)Sept. 271886Extra E'ly Dw'f Erfurt (Thorb'n)July 1312115½Extra Earliest Paris (Vilmorin)Aug. 10767½Extra Early ParisJuly 251367½Extra Selected E'ly Dwarf ErfurtJuly 2113135Half Early Dwarf FrenchJuly 251277½Half Early Paris (Thorburn)Aug. 2412116½Half Early Paris (Vilmorin)Sept. 1511117Henderson's Early SnowballJuly 81297½ImperialAug. 101086½Landreth's FirstJuly 13655½Large Early LondonOct. 271446Large Late AsiaticAug. 251178Late Giant NaplesOct. 17534Late ParisAug. 121077½Late StadtholderOct. 71165½Le Maitre Pied CourtAug. 1415137LenormandSept. 1512106½Len'm'd Short-stem'd (Hend'son)Aug. 1420116Len'm'd Short-stem'd (Vilmorin)July 251277Purple Cape (Noir de Sicilie)Aug. 101286½Thorburn's NonpareilAug. 141286½Veitch's Autumn GiantSept. 2413117½Walcheren (Henderson)Sept. 1447½Walcheren (Vilmorin)Aug. 5667WonderfulOct. 27766