8 The Progress in Vegetable Cultivation 



April, which, when obtained true to name, may be relied upon in any season to form 

 solid hearts without bolting. 



The improvement in the Cabbage has been entirely due to selection. The advent 

 of the Nonpareil was a distinct gain to horticulture. Amongst others, SHAW of 

 Newbury did much to make this Cabbage popular, and as it is one of the best for 

 spring sowing, it will be long before it ceases to be grown. Enfield Market is 

 popular where a Iarge 1 growing kind is required. Almost every market-gardening 

 district has its own particular selection, as seen in The Rainham, Higham, Evesham, 

 East Ham, and Fulham varieties. 



Rapid strides have been made in the improvement of early Cabbages for summer 

 use, and although many of the earliest are of Continental origin, we on this side can 

 claim no inconsiderable amount of credit for careful selection. Earliest of All, 

 Express, and other kindred types are Cabbages which we could not now well do 

 without, but on account of their tendency to bolt in spring they must give place 

 to the sorts which are specially adapted for August sowing. 



The Hardy Green Colewort was introduced in 1852, and a selection from it, 

 Rosette Colewort, appeared a few years later. These give very important crops 

 for consumption towards the end of the year, and are delicious in flavour. 



Red Cabbages have been so far improved that, instead of relying on an August 

 sowing for heads to use in the following summer and autumn, they can now be 

 obtained in the same year by sowing in spring. 



Savoy Cabbages are in demand for only a limited period, and have not had 

 much attention devoted to them, although it is now possible by the use of recently 

 introduced early and later kinds to extend the supply from August to April, if 

 required. 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS 



amongst Brassicas stand next in importance to the Cabbage, Broccoli and Cauli- 

 flower. This plant was well known in 1837, but since that time wonders have been 

 accomplished in its improvement by means of selection, and we now have dwarf, 

 medium, and tall varieties of great excellence. Scrymger's Giant, Dalkeith, and 

 Reading Exhibition were among the earlier improvements, while the Dalmeny and 

 Albert Sprouts, first offered about 1858-59, had but a short-lived reputation. 



A dwarf type, originated on the Continent, and covered with close, firm buttons, 

 has of late years given excellent results, the best strain being the Dwarf Gem. 



As is well known, the sporting tendency of the Brassicas is responsible for some 

 very peculiar forms, and it is, I think, not at all unlikely that a Brussels Sprout 

 with red buttons may eventually have a place amongst our favourite Vegetables. 



BROCCOLI 



were represented in the earlier days by the Capes, Grange's Autumn, Portsmouth, 

 Sulphur, Dwarf Russian, Purple Sprouting, and Knight's Protecting. In 1843 

 the popular Snow's Winter White was introduced, and although various and 

 inferior strains have since been offered under this name, it is safe to say that in 

 many cases the seed now sold is altogether superior to the original type. The 

 following year Walcheren, which should perhaps be classed amongst the Cauli- 



