BRUSSELS SPROUTS 345 



tion, being packed in small cane baskets. Early in 

 the year large quantities are sent from Cornwall and 

 other parts of the south coasts mostly in baskets or 

 crates. They travel well as the leaves when cut 

 with the plants protect the heads. With regard to 

 the best time to cut the heads that depends upon the 

 variety. Some varieties are very large, but these are 

 by no means the best in flavour, a small or medium- 

 sized head being preferable. The heads should be 

 cooked as advised in a previous chapter. 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS. 



This vegetable remains fresh and wholesome long 

 after it is fully developed. The small or medium- 

 sized compact bullet-like Sprout is the most liked. 

 Some varieties produce very large Sprouts that soon 

 expand, but if a small Cabbage is needed they should 

 not be grown as Sprouts. These winter badly. In 

 gathering, the Sprouts should be broken off and the 

 top growth retained till the whole are gathered, as a 

 natural protection is thus provided. Given cool 

 storage the Sprouts retain their freshness for some 

 days, and before they are sent in for the table clear away 

 any useless leafage or yellow growth. Never pack 

 them in very large quantities as they then heat. 

 They are sent to market in half sieves and sieves or 

 bushels and are best when well graded, as very small 

 or open Sprouts should not be gathered. The same 

 remarks apply to this vegetable sent in hampers for 



