XIV 

 BRUSSELS SPROUTS 



GROWING brussels sprouts is much like raising 

 miniature cabbages. The sprouts appear as axil- 

 lary buds at the juncture of each leaf with the 

 strong straight stem. As the plant grows, these 

 sprouts keep appearing all along the stem, until, 

 at the top, a bunch of loose leaves spreads out like 

 a canopy over the stalk of tiny cabbages. A good 

 sprout measures from 1 to 2 inches across and is 

 solid and hard and of a rather light green color. 

 Some varieties grow from 2 to 3 feet high. Other 

 dwarf kinds measure only about 18 inches, with 

 sprouts of corresponding size. While they seem 

 to thrive best in a seashore climate, like Long 

 Island, they also will grow well in inland gardens 

 and are suited to a short-season climate. Wher- 

 ever they are grown for home use, they are much 

 prized for their attractive appearance and juicy 

 tenderness and fine flavor, being considered the 

 most delicate of all the members of the cabbage 

 family. 



With brussels sprouts everything depends on 

 the strain of seed. The plants tend to run down, 

 to revert to the old type of growth. Therefore, 



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