The Culture of Vegetables 



cheap protectors manufactured for the purpose, the adoption of 

 which is a question of expense merely, for their efficiency is a settled 

 matter. 



Sprouting Broccoli, both white and purple, are invaluable to 

 supply a large bulk of a most acceptable vegetable in winter and 

 early spring. They can be treated in the same way as other hardy 

 winter greens, and should have the most liberal culture possible, for 

 which they will not fail to make an ample return. The Purple 

 Sprouting Broccoli is a favourite vegetable in the kitchen, because 

 of its freedom from the attacks of all kinds of vermin. 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS 



Brassica oleracea bullata gemmifera 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS command respect from prince and peasant as 

 the finest autumnal vegetable we have of the strictly green class. 

 They are, however, often very poorly grown, because the first principle 

 of success a long growing season is not recognised. It is in the 

 power of the cultivator to secure this by sowing seed at the end of 

 February, or early in March, on a bed of light rich soil made in a 

 frame, and from the frame the plants should be pricked out into an 

 open bed of similar light fresh soil as soon as they have made half a 

 dozen leaves. From this bed they should be transferred to their 

 permanent quarters before they crowd one another, the object being 

 at each stage to obtain free growth with a sturdy habit, for mere 

 length of stem is no advantage ; it is a disadvantage when the plant 

 is deficient of corresponding substance. This crop is often grown on 

 Potato land, the plants being put out between the rows in the course 

 of the summer. It is better practice, however, to plant Kales or 

 Broccoli in Potato ground, because of the comparative slowness of 

 their growth, and to put the Sprouts on an open plot freely dressed 

 with somewhat fresh manure. If a first-class strain, such as Sutton's 

 Exhibition, is grown, it will not only pay for this little extra care, but 

 will pay also for plenty of room, say two and a half feet apart every 

 way at the least ; and one lot, made up of the strongest plants drawn 

 separately, may be in rows three feet apart, and the plants two 

 and a half feet asunder. Those who have been accustomed to treat 

 Sprouts and Kales on one uniform rough plan will be surprised at 

 the result of the routine we now recommend. The plants will button 

 from the ground line jto the top, and the buttons will set so closely 



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