174 GARDENING. 



two varieties : the cauliflower proper and the broc- 

 coli, each of which has its sub-varieties. Those 

 of the former are the hard (called also the English 

 cauliflower) and the tender. The first, being occa- 

 sionally very productive, would be exclusively cul- 

 tivated, did it succeed equally well at all times and 

 in all places ; but its capriciousness makes the cul- 

 tivation of the second sort proper, because, though 

 this may sometimes give little, it will always give 

 something. The sub-varieties of the broccoli are 

 two, the common and the Maltese* distinguishable 

 only by the number, the bulk, and the colour of the 

 flowers, f 



Turnip Cabbage. Like the preceding, this has its 

 peculiarities ; fo'r, after attaining its ordinary height, 

 the leaf falls, and the stem swells to a circumfer- 

 ence of many inches, enclosing a succulent, nutri- 

 tious, and agreeable matter, for the sake of which 

 the plant is cultivated.! 



Races so different in appearance and in the laws 

 which govern them, may be supposed to require 

 different kinds and degrees of culture : but what of 

 this is common to all forms not only the larger, but 

 by much the most essential part of the treatment. 

 We shall, therefore, speak first of this, and then of 

 the less important particulars in which their man- 

 agement may differ. 



Every variety of cabbage grows best in a strong, 

 rich, substantial soil, inclining rather to clay than 

 to sand ; but will grow in any soil if it be thoroughly 

 worked and abundantly manured with well-rotted 

 dung. As soon, therefore, as the ground designed 

 for the crop has been thus prepared, and offers signs 

 of spontaneous vegetation, the planting of early cab- 



* Now generally denominated " Kohl-rabbi," or " turnip-root- 

 ed cabbage." J. B 



f The common terms now given to the broccoli by gardeners 

 are the White and Red Cape. J. B. 



\ Some of the bulbs get to be twenty-three inches in circumfer- 

 ence, and weigh twelve pounds." M'Mahon, page 317 



