BROCCOLI BRUSSELS SPROUTS 29 



adapted to them without any disturbance of the plants whatever. 

 There must be allowed a good space between the beds to be covered, 

 and the plants must be fifteen to eighteen inches apart, with a view 

 to the protection of the largest number by means of a given stock of 

 frames. Rough frames answer admirably, and there are several cheap 

 protectors manufactured for the purpose, the adoption of which is a 

 question of expense merely, for their efficiency is a settled matter. 



SPROUTING BROCCOLI, both white and purple, are invaluable to 

 supply a large bulk of a most acceptable vegetable in winter and 

 early spring, and they would be grown more frequently than at 

 present if their merits were better known. They can be treated in 

 the same way as other hardy winter greens, and should have the 

 most liberal culture possible, for which they will not fail to make an 

 ample return. 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS 



(Brassica oleracea bullata gemmifera) 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS command respect from prince and peasant as 

 the finest autumnal vegetable we have of the strictly green class, 

 suitable for every table. They are, however, often very poorly grown, 

 because the first principle of success a long growing season is 

 not recognised. It is in the power of the cultivator to secure this 

 by sowing seed at the end of February, or early in March, on a 

 bed of light rich soil made in a frame, and from the frame the 

 plants should be pricked out into an open bed of similar light 

 fresh soil as soon as they have made half a dozen leaves. From 

 this bed they should be transferred to their permanent quarters before 

 they crowd one another, the object being at each stage to obtain free 

 growth with a sturdy habit, for mere length of stem is no advantage ; 

 it is a disadvantage when the plant is deficient of corresponding 

 substance. This crop is often grown on Potato land, the plants 

 being put out between the rows in the course of the summer. It is 

 better practice, however, to plant Kales or Broccoli in Potato ground, 

 because of the comparative slowness of their growth, and to put the 

 Sprouts on an open plot freely dressed with somewhat fresh manure. 

 If a first-class strain, such as Sutton's Exhibition, is grown, it will 

 not only pay for this little extra care, but will pay also for plenty of 

 room, say two and a half feet apart every way at the least, and one 

 lot, made up of the strongest plants drawn separately, may be in rows 



