ii4 MY GARDEN. 



is inferior in texture, delicacy, and flavour to a well-grown cauli- 

 flower. In some winters not half-a-dozen plants survive. We plant 

 the Cape varieties about the second week in April, and the spring kinds 

 about the middle of May, and plant them out as we can spare room. 

 The varieties of Broccoli are legion, and therefore I usually buy half a 

 dozen kinds, in the hope that they may come in in succession, and 

 that some may prove hardier than others. In both these respects we 

 are frequently disappointed, as sometimes all come in together, at others 

 all perish. It has been noticed that broccoli plants exposed to air and 

 light in an open situation stand better than those planted in a sheltered 

 garden. Chapell's cream-colour, Knight's protecting, and Snow's white 

 are all good kinds which we always grow. 



There is a variety of broccoli called sprouting broccoli, because little 

 broccoli sprout from the axils of the leaves, like the little heads which 

 form in a similar situation in Brussels sprouts. The seed is sown in the 

 middle of May, and the produce is obtained in April and May following. 



All the cabbage tribe like a well-manured soil. They are gross 

 feeders, consequently putrid or coarse manures are to be avoided, as 

 they are apt to be absorbed by the plant, and give especially if the 

 vegetal is not quite fresh a most unpleasant flavour. Good stable 

 manure only 'should be used for any of the cabbage tribe. 



SEA-KALE, ASPARAGUS, ARTICHOKES, ETC. 



Although Sea-kale (Crambe maritimd] and Asparagus (Asparagus 

 officinalis) are widely apart in their botanical characters, yet one takes 

 the place of the other upon the table. Sea-kale is in use from the 

 middle of December till about the middle of May, asparagus from the 

 third week of April till the middle of July ; however, I forbid my 

 plants to be cut after the 1st of July. 



Asparagus beds take much room. They should be made three feet 

 wide, deeply trenched, and very heavily manured, when they will stand 

 for many years. In each row sometimes three, sometimes four rows of 

 plants are set, but I have not observed much difference in the produce. 

 They should be two years old when planted in the bed. In winter, when 



