44:4 KEPORT ON BROCCOLIS. 



LII.— REPORT ON THE BROCCOLIS GROWN 



IN THE GARDEN IN THE AUTUMN OF 

 1861 AND SPRING OF 1862. 



By Robert Hogg, LL.D., F.L.S. 



This is the second se*asou during which an attempt has been 

 made to trj the different varieties of Broccoli. The first was 

 made in the previous season of 1860-61, but the frost of that 

 winter was so severe as to result in the total destruction of the 

 crop. Neither li£is this second attempt been so successful as 

 could have been desired. The seed was sown early in March, 

 and the plants made satisfactory progress till the period when 

 they were planted out, after which many of them made so rapid 

 and luxuriant a growth in the autumn that they had not sufficient 

 vigour left to develop good-sized heads during winter and in the 

 spring ; added to which, it is the opinion of all practical gardeners 

 that the soil of Chiswick Garden is not adapted for the successful 

 cultivation of Broccoli. 



Under these circumstances it was not possible to make a com- 

 plete report of all the 103 varieties that were planted, but of 

 such as did come to maturity and withstood the winter, the 

 following observations have been made. 



It is quite evident that the varieties of Broccoli as now growai, 

 are in a state of great confusion, the old varieties, such as 

 Grange's and the Old Early White, having entirely disappeared 

 or lost their original character, for instead of coming into use 

 from Michaelmas till Chi'istmas, as they were wont to do, the 

 former did not, in one instance, come in till February 7, and in 

 another till March 7 ; while what is called Early White was 

 not fit for use till April 18. The distinctive names of Early 

 White and Late White seem now to be possessed of no value, as 

 in some cases the one is used for the other, and vice versa. 



As there are distinct races among Broccoli, it would be very 

 desirable if some delinite nomenclature were adopted, which 

 would at once convey some idea of the character of the varieties. 

 These races may be distinguished as follows : 



I. White Bkoccoli. 



A. Autumn White. C. Early Spring White. 



B. Winter White. D. Lnte Spring White 



