iSSi.] NOTES ON BROCCOTJ. 209 



advantage when allowed to arch the top part of their growth similar 

 to Euphorbia Jacquiniflora. When grown this way, instead of their 

 whole growth being staked entirely upright, they can be arranged to 

 look more effective amongst stove-plants of a more formal habit. The 

 flowering shoots stand well out, and thus give to the whole a light and 

 gay appearance. I have found very little advantage to be gained by 

 pinching the shoots while growing, as this plant has not much inclina- 

 tion to branch into a number of shoots. The strongest shoots only 

 should be stopped. The more moderate growths that throw up from 

 the base should be allowed to extend, as they flower the best, and for 

 the greatest length along the stem. Plants with from one to three 

 good shoots are much better than a greater number of small ones, and 

 look much better when staged amongst other plants. 



By propagating two or three sets of plants, a better succession will 

 be maintained, and the latest will be much dwarf er, and therefore 

 better for arranging near the front of stages. This plant has seldom 

 given me much trouble to keep it free of insects. I have never 

 seen anything upon it but a little thrip, which can be easily kept 

 under by liberal syringing. Wm. Baedney. 



NOTES ON BROCCOLI. 



Last autumn, when our Broccoli were looking their best, I decided 

 to send a few notes to the 'Gardener' on the subject when the time 

 came round again for their culture ; and now that it is here, I am 

 almost ashamed of my decision, as all the Broccoli crops in the country 

 have undergone a wonderful transformation since last autumn. As a 

 rule, they have failed to such an extent that many may be considering 

 whether to grow them again or not. I more than suspect that the last 

 failure is not the first during the last three years, and we all know 

 that repeated loss is not encouraging to further trial ; but I think we 

 must try and try again with the Broccoli yet. In ordinary winters 

 they are such an excellent vegetable that nothing so good could be 

 substituted for them, and the hope is great that we will be more 

 fortunate in the weather next time our winter and spring Broccoli 

 are due. Considering the past, too, it has not been without its ad- 

 vantages, as it has proved very markedly which kinds we may place 

 most reliance on at such times ; and the warning should not be trifled 

 with, but let every one confine his sorts to those which have resisted 

 the severe weather the best, as this is more likely to be the means of 

 securing a crop than selecting varieties at random, or growing those 

 which have previously proved most tender. 



Some seasons we have grown more than a dozen sorts here, but 

 several of them possessed so little merit that we have reduced them to 

 about four kinds or so. First and foremost comes Veitch's Self, 



