212 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Br iza contin ued. 



FIG. 278. BRIZA MAXIMA, showing Habit and Single Flower. 



B. media (middle).* Common Quaking Grass. /., spikelets 

 broadly ovate, of about seven florets (calyx shorter than the 

 florets), tremulous with the slightest breeze, very smooth, shining 

 purple. Branches of the panicle thread-shaped, divaricating, 

 purple. June 1. short, linear acuminate, h. 1ft. Britain. 

 Perennial. (S. E. B. 1774.) 



B. minima (least). A synonym of B. minor. 



FIG. 279. BRIZA MINOR, showing Habit and Small Panicle of 

 Flowers. 



. minor (small).* Little Quaking Grass, fl., spikelets triangular, 

 seven-flowered ; glumes longer than the flowers ; panicle with 

 hair-like branches. June and July. I. pale green, short, narrow. 



h. Sin. England (but very rare). An 

 annual grass. SVNS. B. graciKt and B. minima. 

 (S. . B. 1775. 



B. spicata (spiked). A recent introduction from Brazil, described 

 as being very graceful and quite distinct, having erect spikes about 

 Sin. in height. 



BROADCAST. A method of sowing seeds by means 

 of the hand, scattering them over the surface of the ground 

 as equally as possible. It is now superseded, for the 

 majority of garden and field crops, by drilling, which not 

 only economises the quantity of seed used, but greatly 

 facilitates subsequent weeding and thinning out. 



BROCCOLI (Brassica oleracea botrytis asparagoides). 

 A cultivated variety of the Cabbage, having the young 

 inflorescence condensed into a fleshy, edible head (see Fig. 

 280). To grow this popular vegetable successfully, it is 

 necessary to have rich soil of a good depth, in an open 

 situation, where the plants can have plenty of sun and 

 air to keep them sturdy. They succeed the autumn Cauli- 

 flower, and are in season from November till May. 



Soil. In preparing ground for Broccoli, trench, in the 

 autumn, to the depth of from l|ft. to 2ft., and during the 

 process work in a liberal dressing of rotten farmyard manure. 

 Ground which has carried a crop of Celery is very suitable 

 for the strong-growing kinds, as, by planting where the 

 Celery rows have been, the necessity of trenching is, to a 

 great extent, obviated. Smaller kinds, however, need to be 

 planted closer in order to obtain a profitable crop. 



Cultivation. At the beginning of May, prepare seed beds 

 on a south border, and sow the earlier and sprouting kinds. 

 The later varieties would, perhaps, be best sown in April, 

 but they must not be put in early and allowed to remain 

 too long in the seed bed. Sow thinly, to get the plants as 

 sturdy as possible ; and, to prevent clubbing, work in a little 



Broccoli continued. 



soot or wood ashes on the surface of the beds. Care must 

 also be taken to pick off the club excrescences at planting 

 time, should there be any, and to destroy the grub inside. 

 Clubbing is not so frequent in ground which has been well 

 trenched, and where the plants are not allowed to suffer 

 from drought. Showery weather should be selected for 

 transferring them to their permanent quarters. If it is 

 desired that they should succeed potatoes, they may be 

 planted between every two alternate rows, and the latter 

 crop can be removed when ready. Broccoli succeed best 

 where the ground is firm, and not recently dug or manured. 

 Planting with a crowbar is preferable to digging the 

 ground afresh. If grown by themselves, a distance of 

 from 2ft. to 3ft. should be allowed between the rows, and 

 an equal distance from plant to plant. Some of the early 

 varieties will, in favourable seasons, follow the later Cauli- 

 flowers, while the latest will not be fit for use until the 

 following spring. The heads should be cut as soon as they 

 are large enough ; they will keep good for a week in a 

 cold place, while a day or two might open them too much 

 if allowed to remain on the plants. Broccoli which have to 

 stand the winter are liable to injury from severe frosts, and 

 some method of protection is necessary. Two plans are 



FIG. 280. BROCCOLI. 



recommended for both large and small gardens, and either 

 or both may be adopted, as found convenient. The first 

 is to apply a covering of fern or other dry protective 

 material, not using too much, but giving sufficient to break 

 the rays of the sun, which, perhaps, do as much harm 

 as the actual frost. The other plan is to take up the 

 plants as soon as the flowers can be seen, and lay them 

 in under a hedge or wall until required for use. In shel- 

 tered positions, or where there are trees to break the 

 force of the wind, the covering with dry litter during 

 severe weather will generally be found sufficient; still, a 

 little precaution in lifting will frequently save a valuable 

 crop. Broccoli should never follow a crop of any other 

 kind of cruciferous plants, particularly Cabbage. 



Sorts. Veitch's Self -protecting Autumn, Purple and White 

 Cape, Grange's Early White, and Snow's Winter White. 

 These are the best for autumn and mid-winter supplies. 

 A good selection for spring and late purposes is Mitchin- 

 son's Penzance, Knight's Protecting, Cooling's Matchless, 



