408 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



furnish supplies not only during summer, but in winter 

 and spring as well. 



The principal members of the cabbage or brassica tribe which 

 are ordinarily cultivated in British gardens are broccoli, brussels 

 sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, colewort, kale or borecole, and 

 savoy. The main principles of culture are similar in the case of 

 them all, but in the following hints any slight differences in detail 

 that call for attention will be pointed out : 



BROCCOLI. The broccoli is among the most valuable vegetables 

 for autumn, winter and spring use. If seeds be sown in succession 

 in a small prepared bed of fine soil from early in March at intervals 

 of a fortnight, more than enough young plants can be provided for 

 subsequent planting out so as to ensure a plentiful supply of 

 broccoli from October until April. The first batch could be 

 either Michaelmas White or Walcheren ; the second, to be ready 

 at Christmas, Snow's Winter White ; the third, for early spring, 

 Adams' Early ; and for the latest crop Veitch's Model or Cattell's 

 Eclipse. The seed may be sown either in drills or broadcast, 

 but in any case due attention to thinning out must be observed. 

 The golden rule to be followed is never to allow the seedlings to 

 touch each other so that their growth becomes drawn and lanky. 

 Only the most sturdy and vigorous specimens should be planted 

 out. This is best done in showery weather, when the soil is moist 

 but not sticky. Firm planting is essential. Subsequently the 

 rows must be kept clean of weeds by hoeing. In the event of 

 severe frost it may be necessary to afford protection to the tops 

 of the plants by covering them lightly with a litter of straw, or 

 by " heeling in " the plants. This latter operation consists in 

 forcing the broccoli over with a spade so that they will grow 

 slantwise on their sides with their heads facing the north. Care 

 must be taken not to expose the roots after " heeling in " ; it is 

 therefore necessary to earth them up. 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS. Seed should be sown in March or April, 

 and after the usual operation of thinning out it is a good practice 

 to transfer the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle 



