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The World's Commercial Products 



HOEING PUMPKINS 



but the flower-buds and fleshy flower-stalks, 

 which form a close, firm head, four to eight 

 inches across, that are valued. Whiteness 

 and compactness and not mere size are the 

 qualities esteemed. 



Broccoli {B. oleracea botrytis aspara- 

 goides) is similar in form and appearance to 

 the cauliflower, from which it is supposed 

 to have originated. Several varieties of 

 Broccoli are cultivated which vary in degree 

 of hardiness and length of time taken to 

 mature. 



Whilst the above are the varieties of 

 cabbage best known to us, there are many 

 other varieties cultivated in different parts 

 of the world. One of the most interesting is 

 the Chinese Cabbage. 



The Turnip (Brassica Rapa depressa) is 

 a hardy biennial, and, in its wild state, is 

 found in cornfields in various parts of 

 England. The change it has undergone by 

 cultivation is no less remarkable than that 

 of the cabbage, but in this instance it is the 

 root . which has been transformed from a 

 comparatively hard woody substance into 

 a fleshy and nutritious vegetable. 

 Many varieties of turnip are known, some with round, others with long roots. The smaller 

 kinds are valued in gardens as a vegetable, and the larger as field crops for cattle. 



The. Swede is a yellow and very firm-fleshed kind of turnip, introduced into Britain from 

 Sweden. It is the Brassica campestris rutabaga of botanists, and is a valued agricultural crop 

 in this country. 



Mangel Wurzel (root of scarcity) is the white form of Beta maritima, a plant found 

 wild on the rocks and the seashores in Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. In 

 Britain it is not uncommon on the coasts south of Fife and Argyle. Sea Beet is a perennial, 

 and has undergone remarkable changes under cultivation. The Red Beet is one form which 

 is valued as a vegetable and salad in this country, but much more so in France and Germany. 

 A .variety of Red Beet is the source of Beetroot sugar. 



The Tomato is an annual plant, native of the warmer parts of America, but long ago 

 introduced into most other warm or temperate countries. The fruits of the tomato are red 

 or yellow, and vary very much in size and shape, some being not larger than good-sized 

 red currants. 



The Brinjal or Aubergine {Solatium Melongena) is closely allied to the tomato. 

 . The Onion {Allium Cepa) is a bulbous plant allied to the lilies, and has been known and 

 cultivated as an article of food from the earliest period. 



Many other important vegetables are allied to the onion, viz. : Leek, Shallot, Welsh 

 Onion, Chives, and Garlic. All of these are highly valued in this and other countries. The 

 garlic in some countries, especially China and the Far East, is the most highly esteemed of all. 

 The. Cucumber {Cucumis sativus), is native of Asia and Egypt, where it has been cultivated 

 for more than 3,000 years. It was known in England in the time of Edward III (1327), but 

 its culture was neglected until the time of Henry VIII. Since then it has gradually increased 

 in public favour until the present time. 



