Brussels Sprouts Cabbage 



that, once taken off, it will be impossible to replace them. Moderate- 

 sized, spherical, close, grass-green Sprouts are everywhere esteemed, 

 and there is nothing in the season more attractive in the markets. 



Another mode of prolonging the season is to sow the seed in the 

 open ground in July or August, the exact time being determined by 

 the locality. In the south, August is early enough ; in the north, the 

 middle of July is none too soon. The plants from this sowing should 

 be pricked out wholly or in part, at about six inches apart, for the 

 winter, and be put out to finish their career on a good piece of 

 ground some time in May, the earlier the better. It is desirable 

 to secure strong plants without undue luxuriance, and therefore rich 

 land is not wanted until the final planting, when the best bit of 

 ground should be selected for the crop. If too forward before 

 winter they may suffer from frost, but there is little fear of this 

 if they are not sown too early, or encouraged to make rank growth 

 in the autumn. 



The crops treated as above advised will give early supplies of the 

 very finest Sprouts. For successional crops it will be sufficient to 

 sow in the open ground in the latter part of March, or early in April, 

 and plant out in the usual way; in other words, to treat in the 

 commonplace way of the ordinary run of Borecoles. With a good 

 season and in suitable ground there will be an average crop, which 

 will probably hold out far into the winter. It is important to gather 

 the crop in a systematic manner. The Sprouts are perfect when 

 round and close, with not a leaf unfolded. They can be snapped 

 off rapidly, and where the quantity is considerable they should be 

 sorted into sizes. The top Cabbage being left untouched to the last 

 affords protection to the Sprouts ; but when these are gone, the top 

 Cabbage has served its purpose, and may be used as a table vegetable 

 if it happens to be worth cooking. 



CABBAGE 



Brassica oleracea capitata 



THE CABBAGE is a great subject, and competes with the Potato for 

 pre-eminence in the cottage garden, in the market garden, and on 

 the farm, sometimes with such success as to prove the better paying 

 crop of the two. It may be said in a general way that a Cabbage 

 may be grown almost anywhere and anyhow ; that it will thrive on 

 any soil, and that the seed may be sown any day in the year. All 



