CRUCIFER^ 



331 



below upwards, almost to the top of the stem. Brussels 

 sprouts resemble the kales except that the axillary buds, 

 instead of developing into side branches, do not elongate but 

 develop into "heads," which are in reality specialized buds, 

 usually I to 2 inches in diameter. 



Types. — There are two general types of this plant: tall 

 Brussels sprouts and dwarf Brussels sprouts. The former 

 type grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet, is rather slender, and 

 the leaves and "sprouts" are comparatively far apart. It 

 is not grown to any extent in this country; dwarf varieties 

 are preferred here. These latter seldom exceed 2 feet in 

 height; they have a stout stem upon which the leaves and 

 "sprouts" are crowded. As a rule, the leaves of the dwarf 

 type are more crimped than those of the tall type. All the 

 types are cool season plants. 



Uses. — Brussels sprouts are much more tender than com- 

 mon head cabbage. The smaller "sprouts" are the most 

 desirable. They are cooked in a manner similar to cabbage. 



Fig. 137. — Common head cabbage (Brassica oleraceacapitata). Three com- 

 mon types of heads: A, pointed or oblong; B, ballhead; C, drumhead. 



BRASSICA OLERACEA VAR. CAPITATA (Common Head Cabbage) 



(Fig. 137) 

 The common head cabbage produces, the first year, a short 

 stem upon which are found numerous, thick, overlapping, 



