1 96 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



KITCHEN GARDEN continued. 



boxes under glass in March and planting in June; or by wintering 

 and planting old roots. It is rarely safe to sow seed out of doors 

 before mid-May. The seeds may be set 9 ins. apart and given a 

 7-in. pole each. Soakings of liquid manure and a mulching of 

 short manure will help the plants. Scarlet Emperor and Best of 

 All are fine varieties. The White and Painted Lady Runners are 

 not so much grown now as they used to be. 



Beetroot (Beta vulgaris). With the revival of Beetroot culture 

 for sugar-making fresh interest has centred in a garden vegetable 

 that had previously held only a modest position. Beetroot will 

 grow in almost any soil, but does best in rather heavy, moist ground. 

 Little manure is required in such land, and if the crop follows one 

 for which the soil was well manured the previous year, such as Peas 

 or Celery, none at all. Early sowing results in coarse roots, and it 

 is best to defer it until May. If roots are wanted before September 

 sow a round variety at mid- April. It economises seed and reduces 

 the labour of thinning to drop three seeds in a cluster at every 9 ins., 

 and these can be reduced to one later on. Cover 2 ins. deep. Birds 

 must be kept away with tanned fish netting, black thread, or scares. 

 The rows may be 15 ins. apart. In October the leaves should be 

 removed without injury to the crowns, and the roots laid in a heap 

 and covered with sand or with straw and soil. Good varieties: 



Long. 



Dell's Crimson 

 Cheltenham Green-top 



Short. 

 Globe 



Borecole or Kale (Brassica oleracea acephala). The Kales are 

 the hardiest of all winter Greens, and it is not often that they are 

 injured by frost, however severe. In the few seasons when injury 

 is done a hard winter follows a mild autumn, which kept the plants 

 green and soft too long. The Kales are grown in the same way as 

 Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts, and the remarks made under those 

 heads apply. Early April is a good time to sow. The curled Kales 

 throw out small side shoots in mild spells all through the winter 

 and spring, and these are the edible part. Some are ornamental as 

 well as useful, having coloured foliage. The plants are subject to 

 the attack of the enemies described under Broccoli, and are pro- 

 tected in the same way. Good varieties: Arctic, Asparagus, 

 Dwarf Green Curled, Hearting. 



Broccoli (Brassica oleracea botrytis asparagoides) . Broccoli is 

 the winter and spring representative of the Cauliflower. It is 

 nominally somewhat coarser and less pure white than the latter, 

 but hardier. Broccolis may be had from October to June inclusive 

 by making a suitable choice of varieties and sowing at different 

 periods; but in mild districts Cauliflowers are preferred to autumn 

 Broccoli. After Christmas Broccolis would take precedence of 

 Cauliflowers. To get autumn and early winter Broccoli, seed should 

 be sown out of doors at the end of March; to get late winter and 

 early spring Broccoli, sowing may be practised at the middle of 

 April ; and to get late spring and early summer produce, seed may 



