202 VEGETABLES. 



The plants should be lifted from the bed with balls of 

 earth, planted in rows three feet apart and two feet between 

 the plants, and watered if the soil is dry. The space between 

 the rows should be occupied with spinach, lettuce, or turnips 

 where ground is scarce. The advantage of wide planting is 

 observed after a cold winter has passed. The autumn and 

 Spring Broccoli should be assisted to make large heads after 

 they are formed, by frequent applications of liquid manure. 

 When the heads appear, they should be protected from light 

 and frost. When cut with a long stem, they can be preserved 

 for two weeks in a dark cellar, and the colour improved by 

 the keeping. 



The points of merit are: (1.) Size and symmetry of the 

 head; and (2.) closeness and pureness of the "curd," which 

 should be free from " froth." 



THE BRUSSELS SPEOUT. 



There are many so-called varieties of this fine vegetable, 

 but it is rare to find them true to description, from the want of 

 sufficient care being taken in the selection of the plants from 

 which the seed was obtained. A grower for competition should 

 select a few of his best plants every third year, lift and plant 

 them at the foot of a wall as far away as possible from other 

 flowering plants of the brassica tribe. When the seed is ripe, it 

 should be rubbed out, preserved dry, and sown on a gentle hot- 

 bed during the first week in March. The seedlings should be 

 pricked out and hardened off by the end of April, when they 

 should be planted out two feet apart on well-prepared ground, 

 which is inclined to be heavy rather than light. Liquid 

 manure should be given after the sprouts are formed, and 

 the plants never allowed to want for water during dry 

 weather. The plants should be lifted when wanted, the 

 lower leaves trimmed neatly off, and then potted with a few 

 of the i-oots attached. By this method the plants are kept 

 fresh, and their parts better exposed than when they are 

 tied together in bundles. When sprouts are exhibited as a 

 dish, the best only, and all of equal size, should be selected. 



