212 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Briza—continued. 
Fic, 278. BRIZA MAXIMA, showing Habit and single Flower. 
B. media (middle).* Common Quaking Grass. fl., spikelets 
broadly ovate, of about seven florets (calyx shorter than the 
florets), tremulous with the slightest breeze, very smooth, shining 
purple. Branches of the panicle thread-shaped, divaricating, 
Po yi mS l. short, linear acuminate. h. lft. Britain. 
B. minima (least). Synonymous with B. minor, 
Fig. 279. BRIZA MINOR, phowing Habit and small Panicle of 
owers, 
B. minor (small).* Little Quaking Grass, fl., spikelets triangular, 
seven-flowered ; glumes longer than the flowers; panicle with 
hair-like branches. June an July. l. pale green, short, narrow. 
ħ. 8in, England (but very rare). An exceedingly pretty little 
av aual or perennial grass. SYNS, B, gracilis and D, minima. See 
Fig. 279. (S. E. B. 1775.) 
ge —— piked) A yocums aga gw from Brazil, eenen 
2 pon r pan 
Bin in ke abt = and quite distinct, having erect spikes abou 
BROADCAST. A method of sowing seeds by means 
of the hand, scattering them over the surface of the ground 
as equally as possible. It is now superseded, for the 
majority of garden and field crops, by drilling, which not 
only economises the quantity of seed used, but greatly 
facilitates subsequent weeding and thinning out. 
BROCCOLI (Brassica oleracea botrytis asparagoides). 
A cultivated variety of the Cabbage, having e oie 
inflorescence condensed into a fleshy, edible head (see Fig. 
280). To grow this popular vegetable successfully, it is 
necessary to have rich soil of a good depth, in an open 
ER 2 where the plants can have plenty of sun and 
air to keep them sturdy. They succeed the autumn Cauli- 
flower, and are in season from November till May. 
In preparing ground for Broccoli, trench, in the 
autumn, to the depth of from 1}ft. to 2ft., and during the 
process work in a liberal dressing of rotten farmyard manure 
Ground which has carried a crop of Celery is very suitable 
for the strong-growing kinds, as, by planting where the 
Celery rows have been, the necessity of trenching is, to a 
great extent, obviated. Smaller kinds, however, need to be 
planted closer in order to obtain a profitable crop. 
Cultivation. At the beginning of May, prepare seed beds 
on a south border, and sow the earlier and sprouting kinds. 
The later varieties would, perhaps, be best sown in April, 
but they must not be put in early and allowed to remain 
too long in the sëed bed. Sow thinly, to get the plants as 
* 
sturdy as possible; and, to prevent clubbing, work in a little 
Broccoli—continued. 
soot or wood ashes on the surface of the beds. Care must 
also be taken to pick off the club excrescences at planting 
time, should there be any, and to destroy the grub inside. 
Clubbing is not so frequent in ground which has been well 
trenched, and where the plants are not allowed to suffer 
from drought. Showery weather should be selected for 
transferring them to their permanent quarters. If it is 
desired that they should succeed potatoes, they may be 
planted between every two alternate rows, and the latter 
crop can be removed when ready. Broccoli succeed best 
where the ground is firm, and not recently dug or manured. 
Planting with a crowbar is preferable to digging the 
ground afresh. If grown by themselves, a distance of 
from 2ft. to 3ft. should be allowed between the rows, and 
an equal distance from plant to plant. Some of the early 
varieties will, in favourable seasons, follow the later Cauli- 
flowers, while the latest will not be fit for use until the 
following spring. The heads should be cus as soon as they 
are large enough; they will keep good for a week in a 
cold place, while a day or two might open them too much 
if allowed to remain on the plants. Broccoli which have to 
stand the winter are liable to injury from severe frosts, and 
some method of protection is necessary. Two plans are 
Fic, 280. BROCCOLI. 
recommended for both large and small gardens, and either 
or both may be adopted, as found convenient. The first 
is to apply a covering of fern or other dry protective 
material, not using too much, but giving sufficient to break 
the rays of the sun, which, perhaps, do as much harm 
as the actual frost. The other plan is to take up the 
plants as soon as the flowers can be seen, and lay them 
in under a hedge or wall until required for use. In shel- 
tered positions, or where there are trees to break the 
force of the wind, the covering with dry litter during 
severe weather will generally be found sufficient; still, a 
little precaution in lifting will frequently save a valuable 
crop. Broccoli should never follow a crop of any other 
kind of cruciferous plants, particularly Cabbage. : 
Sorts. Veitch’s Self-protecting Autumn, Purple and White 
Cape, Grange’s Early White, and Snow’s Winter White. ; 
These are the best for autumn and mid-winter supplies. n 
A good selection for spring and late purposes is tohin- 
son's Penzance, Knight’s Protecting, Cooling’s Matchless, 
