B Pv \ 



B R A 



When ihc plants o{' any of the crops, but 

 especially iliose of the earliest, bigiii to show 

 flower, thcv shou'id be examined frequently, 

 and, w here they are found, ihe inuerlcavts turned 

 down over the heads to screen tluin from rain, 

 the sun, and full air, in order to preserve them 

 more white and close; as, when fully exposed 

 to the weather, it generally chances the fme 

 white coldur to a vellou ish hue, and occasions 

 the head to open before it becomes perfectly 

 Jbrmed. 



The excellence of the plant consists not only 

 in size, but in the whiteness and compact curd- 

 like growth of the head; such as have a frothy 

 looscT appearance being inferior in value. 



It is in its utmost perfection of grov\th when 

 the outward parts of the head begin to open and 

 expand; after which the whole soon divides, 

 and shoots up to flower and seed. 



In cuttins these crops, the fiower-head should 

 mostly be c'utoff" with some inches of the stalk, 

 toffelher with most of the surrounding kaves, 

 which should be trimmed down nearly equal to 

 the circumference of the head, especially when 

 for present use; but, when rc!|uired tobe kept a 

 few davs, and such as are intended tor market, 

 should have the full leaves to continue, trim- 

 ming them off as wanted. As the stalks of these 

 plants never produce sprouts, as in those of the 

 cabbasres, they should be removed as soon as 

 the head is cut. 



It is common in some places to presen'e some 

 heads of the latest crop in dry cellars or other 

 places, by taking them up with their rools, 

 and putting them in sand, k-eeping them as dry 

 as possible^and carefully removing such parts as 

 decay. 



Saving seed. — It is of great importance to 

 have good seed in the culture of this plant, 

 which\annot be obtained without saving it, as 

 that which is purchased can seldom be depended 

 on. For this purpose, some planis of the ear- 

 liest crops arc to be selected, which have the 

 largest, most perfect, compact, firm, white 

 heads, and permitted to remain to run up to stem 

 and form seed, whicL is usually perfected about 

 the bcifinninc of September. The plants 

 should be well supported, and the seed be col- 

 lected as it ripens, care being taken to guard 

 asainst the birds. Some should be saved every 

 year, as old seed cannot be depended ..pon. 



Culture in the Brocoli kind. — Thereare, as has 

 been seen, several sorts of this plantincuhivation; 

 but the Brown, Green, and Purple succeed best 

 fur early crops, and the White for the principal 

 and late crops. 



All the different varieties of Brocoli are raised 

 from seed sown annually iu the open ground. 



The season for sowing the main crops of all the 

 varitlies is March and Ajinl for the aiituu<i) and 

 wmter production, :uu\ Mav and the begin- 

 ning of .kine for the principal succession crops, 

 to come in for the spring ^upnlies. 



Some niav occasionally be sown so early a* 

 February or l)eginnin!i of March of the Cauli- 

 flower Brocoli; as al>o any of the Purple kinds, 

 in order to obtain an earlier autunui produc- 

 tion. 



The seed should be sow n on a good soil in 

 an open exposure, as the ]ilanis rise much 

 strouiier than on narrow bonlers under walls. 

 Eichsort should be sown separate, not too 

 thick, on the surface, raking them in lightly: 

 the plants appear in ten or twelve days; occa- 

 sional watcrnigs being given in dry weather ; 

 and when they have leaves an inch or two 

 l)road, it is proper to prick them out in a nur- 

 serv-bed three or four inches apart, givinir them 

 water as soon as planted, and occasionally till 

 they have taken root ; in which bed let them 

 remain a month or six weeks to acquire 

 strength: bv these means their shaiiks will be 

 short and of robust grow th, and be considerably 

 belter prepared for planting out where they 

 arc to stand than those which remain in the 

 sccd-bed. 



The times of planting them out are ; June, 

 July, August, and the beginning of September, 

 according as they were sown, or are desired for 

 use. 



'I'he ground for setting them out upon should 

 be good, w ell prepared by digging over, and en- 

 riched by good stable dung. The plants should 

 then be planted in rows two feet and a half 

 asunder, and two feet distant in the lines; but 

 for those planted late two feet at most between 

 row and row is sufficient, and eighteen inches 

 distant in the rows. As soon as planted they 

 should be watered; and if dry weather prevail 

 the watering should be repeated every other day 

 till the plants have got root. 



The culture afterwards is, to keep tHem clear 

 from weeds by hoeing the groiuid occasionally, 

 and when they have advanced a little in grow ih; 

 to draw some earth with a hoe about their stems, 

 which if repeated once or twice is of great 

 advantatre to the plants iu pronioliDg_ their 

 growth. 



In gathering them for use, attention must be 

 had that the heads have attained their full 

 growth, but which should be cut while they 

 remaia close, and before they begin to divide 

 and assume a seedy-like appearance, and with 

 about six inches of the main stalk to each head,, 

 as the upper part of the stalk eats exceedini, 

 sweet and lender; but which, previous to its 



