THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES 81 



their delicate flavour, but also on account of their 

 furnishing a useful dish in the winter when vegetables 

 are scarce. The seed should be sown early in the 

 spring, and the seedlings planted out during June and 

 July. Good varieties are the Green Curled and Tom 

 Thumb. By sowing such a kind as the Bijou in May 

 Savoys may be obtained well on in the New Year. 



Brussels Sprouts 



This is one of the most useful forms of greens, and 

 one of the easiest to grow ; it should, however, not be 

 grown in very heavy soil, unless it has been liberally 

 dressed with lime or burnt earth. The seed should be 

 sown in March on a warm border or in February under 

 glass. As soon as the fourth leaf shows, the seedlings 

 should be transplanted to their permanent quarters. 

 This should not be later than April. In this way the 

 seedlings get a good root hold before the heat and 

 drought of summer. Two good varieties are the Sutton 

 Matchless and the Dwarf Gem. 



Spinach 



This vegetable deserves to be more generally grown, 

 as it is of easy culture and rapid growth. The soil 

 should be deeply cultivated and tending towards heavi- 

 ness. Ground sloping towards the south is not desirable. 

 The seed should be sown in small successive batches. 

 Sowings may be made every three weeks from February 

 till May, the early sowings being made on a south 

 border, the later ones on a border facing north. The 

 ground should be rich, as quickness in growth is essential. 

 The seed should be sown thinly and the young plants 

 should be thinned out to six inches apart as soon as 

 possible. The rows should be one foot apart. Two 

 good varieties are the Carter and the Prickly Flanders. 



