BROCCOLI. 31 



BROCCOLI. 



Brdssica olerdcea, var. Broccoli, Fr. Italianische Kohl., Ger. 



BROCCOLI is a variety of the Cabbage closely related to the 

 Cauliflower, though not so delicate in flavor as that vegetable. 

 It is supposed to have come originally from the island of Cy- 

 press, and was cultivated nearly two hundred years ago. In mild 

 climates it is extensively used from November to March, the 

 various early and late sorts coming to maturity in the very 

 middle of Winter. In this latitude the culture i confined to 

 Grange's Early White and the Early Purple Cape. In tneir 

 growth, habit, and eatable parts, they resemble Cauliflower, all of 

 them forming roundish heads in the centre of their leaves, 

 composed entirely of a compact collection of numerous buds 

 or tender advancing shoots. 



Grange's Early produces large, fine, white, compact heads, 

 of a conical shape. The leaves cover the heads and afford pro- 

 tection in frosty weather. This sort is so much like Cauli- 

 flower that those who ought to be judges have pronounced it 

 such, though the leaves and flavor are entirely different. For a 

 good crop, sow the seed early in April. 



Early Purple Cape also produces large sized heads, of a 

 reddish brown color ; when genuine, very close and compact 

 It is rather earlier than the former, and more hardy. 



The Dwarf. Tartarian, White Malta, and Late White are 

 fine sorts for a mild climate. They will be in use the whole Win- 

 ter. Sow the seeds in June, and transplant in July, in very 

 rich sandy loam. 



CULTURE. The seeds should be sown in April and May, in 

 rich soil, on an open exposure, where the plants grow much 

 stronger than near trees or fences. Sow the seeds tolerably 

 thick on the surface ; if dry, tramp them down and rake in 

 lightly , if drought continues, give the beds a few waterings 



