VEGETABLES OR FOOD CROPS 239 



form a compact head ; it is best suited to a winter climate in cool 

 countries, and is unsuitable for cultivation in the tropics. 



Brussels Sprouts. (Brassica oleracca gennnifera. N. O. Cru- 

 ciferae ). This favourite vegetable is a variety of Cabbage which, 

 instead of forming one single head, produces numerous small 

 heads or " sprouts " crowded along the ste'm towards the top. It 

 is a winter vegetable in Europe, but also thrives at high elevations 

 in the tropics, and is commonly grown in up-country gardens in 

 Ceylon. Cultural requirements are similar to those of Cabbage. 

 "Sutton's Matchless," "The Aigburth," and "Dwarf Gem" are 

 all good varieties. 



Cabbage; "Goa" S. ( Brassica oleracea. N. O. Cruciferae). 

 This useful vegetable is now grown abundantly at high elevations 

 in Ceylon, both in private and market gardens. At low or interme- 

 diate elevations also it thrives sufficiently well to yield at least a 

 crop of green leaves, which are so much prized by the Natives for 

 soups and vegetable curries. A rich, well-drained and manured 

 soil is essential. The seed may be sown thinly on a sheltered 

 border with finely worked, loose soil ; when the plants are 4 or 

 5 in. high they should be planted out about 15 in. apart in rows, 

 the distance between the latter being about 18 or 20 inches. The 

 young plants will require to be protected from the sun and wind 

 until strong enough to take care of themselves. In the low-country, 

 Cabbages are often propagated by cuttings or small shoots which 

 appear on the stem ; but here the plants do not form heads, and 

 only the lower leaves are picked for use as required. The club- 

 root disease to which all the Cabbage family (Cruciferae) are liable, 

 is the greatest drawback to Cabbage cultivation in the hill districts 

 of Ceylon. (See Fungus Diseases), The spores readily infest the 

 soil after the first crop of Cabbages is grown, and a change of soil 

 for each successive crop is advisable if not essential. The only 

 preventive that can be employed is fresh unslaked lime, applied at 

 the rate of about 75 bushels per acre, or 15 Ib. to 100 sq. feet. 

 All diseased plants should be burnt. Wire- worms are also a very 

 troublesome pest of Cabbages, and seem to be attracted by the 

 club-root disease. 



VARIETIES. u Button's Earliest," " Sutton's Maincrop," and 

 " Early Battersea," are among the best. 



Cabbage, Red. ( Brassica oleracea capitata r libra. N. O. 

 Cruciferae). This will thrive well at 4,000 to 6,000 ft., but is not 

 much grown in Ceylon. It is used chiefly for pickling. Cultural 



