BROCOLI. 159 



and enjoy a real luxury without the sin of extrava- 

 gance. The purple variety is more hardy, and may 

 be set thicker, as it does not grow to half the size 

 of the former. For the spring crop, which has the 

 winter to endure, the warmest and most sheltered 

 border is in general to be chosen ; but as it will 

 sometimes be found less injured by frost in the open 

 quarters, it may be as well to give chances. 



To keep the heart of the plant near the surface 

 of the ground is the best security; and to accom- 

 plish this, let the seedling plants be early thinned, 

 to avoid long stems ; and in transplanting, give 

 them plenty of room the larger sort, twenty by 

 fifteen inches, and the smaller somewhat less. In 

 low and warm districts, it is found of advantage, 

 about the end of autumn, to lift the full grown brocoli 

 stocks, and plunge them up to the neck in the soil, 

 or so to recline them that their heads may rest on 

 the surface of the ground ; but in higher places, 

 where fresh rooting, late in the season, is more 

 doubtful, it is better to avoid, by the above me- 

 thods, the evil of long stalks than to depend on this 

 second planting for a cure. At medium elevations, 

 the spring crop will best stand the winter when the 

 plants have been set about the middle of July. 

 When the flowering advances more rapidly than 

 the crop can be consumed, it answers well to take 

 up a portion of the stocks, with all their roots and 

 leaves, and hang them, with their heads down, on 

 any back wall, out of the way, and in open air, but 

 not exposed to the sun. In this position they keep 



