1116 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS bboccoli 



large sowing at the end of March or early 

 in April is usually sufficient when a 

 succession is not of great importance. 



The seedlings having made 3-4 leaves 

 are duly transferred to the open ground. 

 They may be 11-2 ft. apart in the rows, 

 the latter being 2-3 ft. apart. Or where 

 ground is scarce they may be inter- 

 cropped with Potatoes, allowing two rows 

 of the latter to every one of Brussels 

 Sprouts, unless the rows are particularly 

 wide apart. The general cultivation 

 afterwards is the same as for Cabbage 

 (see p. 1114). A week or two before 

 the sprouts are ready to be picked, some 

 of the spreading leaves from the top 

 may be removed and used as greens, but 

 it is scarcely advisable to cut off the 

 whole head as sometimes recommended. 

 The sap the detached leaves would other- 

 wise absorb is thus drafted into the 

 sprouts on the stem and enables them to 

 become plumper and better matured. 

 During dry seasons the plants will be 

 greatly benefited by copious waterings 

 towards evening. Frequent stirring of 

 the surface of the soil between the rows 

 with a hoe will also act as a mulching 

 and prevent a good deal of moisture being 

 evaporated. Among the most useful 

 varieties to grow are Aigburih (or Otters- 

 2}ool Improved), a fine form with large 

 sprouts ; Dalkeith ; Scrymger's Oiant, 

 one of the best ; President Carnot ; and 

 The Wroxton, the latter being very fine. 



For diseases &c. see p. 1113. 



BORECOLE or KALE (Brassica 



OLERACBA ACEPHALA Or FIMBEIATA). — This 



excellent vegetable is very hardy and is 

 often found most useful in severe winters 

 when Cabbages and other greenstuff are 

 utter failures. All Kales are improved in 

 flavour by the action of light frosts. 



It succeeds in an ordinary good gar- 

 den soil, but enjoys a well dug and 

 manured loam as recommended for 

 Cabbages (p. 1114). 



Time of sowing. — As a rule seeds of 

 Borecoles may be sown for the main crop 

 in March and April, but an earlier sowing 

 may be made in a cold frame if required. 

 Seeds may also be sown as late as the 

 middle of May in the south, and the 

 beginning in the north, where a good suc- 

 cession of plants is required. 



When the seedlings are strong and 

 sturdy without being allowed to grow long 

 and lanky in the seed beds, they may be 



planted in drills at a distance of about 

 2 ft. apart every way. Cottager's Kale, 

 being a vigorous growing plant, may be 

 planted about 2J ft. apart each way. • 



The general cultivation after planting 

 is the same as for Cabbages (see p. 1114). 

 By keeping the hoe in frequent use between 

 the rows the soil is kept in good condition, 

 and the loosened surface acts as a mulch 

 during the summer months. 



Among the best- varieties grown are 

 the Asparagus or Buda Kale. Cottager's 

 Kale is very hardy and well worth grow- 

 ing. The Dwarf Green Curled or Scotch 

 Kale is excellent for winter and spring 

 use, while the Hearting or Cabbaging 

 Kale produces close compact heads, but 

 is not so hardy as the other varieties. The 

 variegated forms are very handsome in 

 appearance and are much prized by some 

 for garnishing purposes. 



Many varieties of Kale have flattish 

 leaves, but others have beautifully crimped 

 and curled leaves resembling close-packed 

 Parsley or green moss. The famous 

 ' Jersey walking-sticks ' are made from a 

 variety of Kale or Tree Cabbage called 

 Chou Cavalier, which often reaches a 

 height of 10 ft. and grows for two or three 

 seasons. 



For diseases &c. see p. 1113. 



BROCCOLI (Brassica oleracea 

 BOTRYTis asparagoidbs). — The Broccoli 

 resembles the Cauliflower in appearance, 

 and is often regarded as such by 

 the uninitiated ; but it is a. distinct 

 variety and more hardy in constitu- 

 tion than the Cauliflower. Both vege- 

 tables, however, are remarkable for the 

 crisp succulent white or creamj- white 

 mass in the centre of the leaves. This 

 mass really consists of the inflorescence, 

 that is, the flower stems and flowers, 

 which have become condensed and 

 abnormal by selection and cultivation for 

 many generations. In the Broccoli the 

 heads are smaller and yellowish-white, but 

 in the Cauliflower are usually larger and 

 more inclined to pure white. The leaves 

 of the Broccoli also are moi*e numei-ous 

 and stiffer in textiure. 



Soil. — -To grow Broccoli well the soil 

 cannot be too rich and well drained. A 

 rich and rather heavy loam, well dug and 

 heavily manm-ed the previous autumn, 

 suits it best. The soil should be well set 

 or hardened before planting, as the roots 

 like to grow in firm surroundings. 



