Gregory said in 1890: "Of the thirteen varieties of cauliflower raised in my experimental plot in 1888, every specimen of the Long Island Beauty made fine heads, and the heads averaged larger than any other sort. It is among the very earliest.... Mr. Brill calls it, 'absolutely and unequivocally the best cauliflower in the world.'"
Early Paris (Tendre de Paris, Salomon, Petit Salomon).—An excellent sort, more largely grown for a fall crop in this country in the past than any other variety. Intermediate in season between half Early Paris and the new Extra Early Paris. As grown by the writer 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 entirely free from intermixed leaves. Sown about May 10, and set out the last of June, most of the plants formed their heads during October. As a summer variety it produces better heads than the Early Erfurt, but is less inclined to head early in the season.
Described by Vilmorin as follows: "Plant small, rather tall; leaves comparatively narrow, nearly straight, a little deflexed at the extremity, and slightly wavy at the border; head of medium size, quickly formed, but remaining firm but a short time. This variety is particularly suitable for the summer crop; sown in April or May it heads in August 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 nearly the appearance of the Half Early Paris, but is smaller, with a little shorter leaves, which are more narrow and upright. It is sown in September, and Wintered over under hand glasses on a bank composed of manure from an old hot-bed and exposed to the south. The crop is then gathered during May. It may also be sown in March and gathered in July."
Victor Paquet, in his work on Vegetables (Plantes Potagers), published at Paris in 1846, gives a full account of cauliflower culture and says: "We cultivate two distinct varieties, tendre and demi-dur. The sub-varieties gros and petit Salomon are sorts of the tendre."
Richard Frotzer, of New Orleans, catalogues the Extra Early and the Half Early, but not the Early Paris.
Mr. Gregory, of Massachusetts, states that most of the seed sold in the United States as Early Paris is really the Half Early. In a recent letter he says: "The Early or Half Early Paris is now about dead, the various strains of Extra Early Erfurt, such as Snowball, 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 being two varieties. The former, which has so long been a favorite in the Northern States may still be relied upon, though in many cases, as stated, it is being displaced by the Extra Early Paris, and particularly by the Extra Early Erfurt and varieties derived from it.
Early Picpus.—Catalogued by Vilmorin in 1889 as a new early variety with large white heads, good for field culture.
Early Puritan.—A little the earliest of four varieties at the New York experiment station in 1889, the others being Early Erfurt, Snowball, and Vick's Ideal. At the Ohio station the same year it was considered to be a strain of Early [Extra Early] Erfurt and one of the best of its class.
D. M. Ferry & Co., the introducers of this variety write me as follows regarding its history: "The Puritan cauliflower originated as the product of a particularly early, large-headed, and dwarf-growing 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 first noticed and selected by one of the largest cauliflower growers in this country, and great care was taken in selecting and seeding the plant. It is purely American, both in origin and growth."
It appears from the letter of H. A. March, on page 122, that this variety originated with him from Henderson's Snowball, at Fidalgo, Washington.