92 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



work the seed off by rubbing the end of the thumb 

 lightly over the finger. If, at first, the seed gets 

 scattered too thickly, take a pinch, here and there, 

 dirt and all, and scatter it farther along in the 

 furrow. Better sow too thickly than too far apart. 

 The value of even expensive seed is of little ac- 

 count when the final success of the crop is con- 

 cerned. As soon as the seeds start, it is easy to 

 pinch out the extra ones, if the seedlings are 

 crowded. 



With the proper care, continual stirring of the 

 soil and plenty of moisture, a month or six weeks 

 will find the little sprouts ready to transplant. 

 By that time, the second set of real leaves will 

 have appeared and the cotyledons withered, yel- 

 lowed, nearly disappeared. Be careful not to get 

 the cabbage seedlings instead, for these young 

 related plants are very much alike. Choose a 

 cloudy moist day for transplanting. A deep, rich, 

 even loam is best ; but any soil suitable for general 

 gardening will grow fine brussels sprouts. Have 

 the soil in the strip freshly cultivated and ready 

 when the plants are removed from the seed-bed. 

 Lift only a few at a time and keep the lump of soil 

 around the seedlings moist. 



The subsequent care of brussels sprouts is sim- 

 ple. The plants may need shading, the first few 

 days, during the hottest part of the day. Push a 

 stick into the soil at a little distance from each 

 plant and over the stick and the plant pin a news- 



