168 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



or to the grower for market. They form one of the best green 

 vegetables for autumn and winter use, and at that time are 

 always in good demand by all classes of the community. 



The main requirements for success in the cultivation of 

 Brussels Sprouts are a deeply-worked rich and firm soil, room 

 for development, and a long season of growth. The disregard 

 of any or all of these conditions frequently results in disap- 

 pointment loose rich soil produces over-luxuriant plants with 

 soft open sprouts which are practically useless ; overcrowded 

 plants yield sprouts few in number and only partially developed, 

 whilst plants raised late in the spring, even if they should ulti- 

 mately give a good crop, do so probably at a time when the 

 most pressing demand is past and prices have fallen low. 



For a long succession sow batches 

 from the end of February to the 

 middle of May, putting the first in a 

 cold frame, but for ordinary purposes 

 one sowing in the middle of March is 

 quite enough. Sow on a bed of light 

 rich soil, in a sheltered position in the 

 open. Before the seedlings crowd 

 each other transplant the strongest 

 to a similar bed, Sin. apart ; a week 

 or two later transplant the next 

 strongest in a similar manner. By 

 this means three successive batches 

 of sturdy plants are obtained which 

 will yield good sprouts from top to 

 bottom if well treated afterwards. 



Set out the plants in their final 

 stations during May, if possible, and 

 never later than the early part of 

 June. Sometimes these plants are put between rows of pota- 

 toes, but such a position is not a good one, as crowding by the 

 potato haulms has a tendency to cause the stems to become 

 drawn instead of retaining that sturdy short- jointed character 

 which is so desirable. Set the plants out in an open situation, 

 2ft. Gin. apart in each direction. Dibble them in carefully 

 and in case the weather should prove very dry "puddle" the 



Copyright, V. A. Co. 



Dwarf Brussels Sprouts. 



