ON VEGETABLE CULTURE. 



1053 



Beet Rust (yUromyces betce) attacks both Garden and Field 

 Beet, the latter more especially. Usually the disease is not 

 noticed until its third and final stage (teleutospore) is reached, and 

 the blackish spots are in evidence on the leaves. Long ere this 

 the aecidium-stage was passed, probably in Seed-Beet, or even 

 upon the Wild Beet. This was followed by the uredo-stage, 

 when the brown spores were dispersed, increasing the area of 

 the disease. Finally, the teleutospores already alluded to were 

 produced, and these tide the disease over the winter. Sulphide 

 of potassium should be sprayed upon the crop by way of 

 prevention in early summer, and all leaves which decay or are 

 removed from the plants at harvest-time should be burned. 



Borecole, or Kale. 



For cold or exposed gardens Borecole is indispensable, 

 being remarkably hardy, tender, of good flavour, and affording 

 a supply of vegetables when they are scarcest, viz., from 

 Christmas until late spring. Good, firm soil, that has been 

 deeply worked and liberally manured, whether heavy or light, 

 will grow all the varieties well. In March, when the soil 

 and weather are favourable, the seed may be sown thinly in 

 beds of rich, firm soil, merely covering it to its own thickness 

 and protecting the bed from birds (which are very fond of all 

 Brassica seeds) with nets. Immediately the seedlings are large 

 enough to handle, showery weather should be watched for, and 

 the plants then put out 2^ft. apart each way on ground 

 prepared ior them. In the course of a few weeks, they may 

 have soil drawn up to them in the same manner as Potatoes ; 

 chis will prevent their rocking about by wind, and also, by 

 loosening the surlace soil, will ensure their thriving and growing 

 rapidly. If the land is rich and has been deeply worked, the 

 growth of the plants will be so rapid as to meet each other and 

 smother all weeds. The Lapland, Asparagus, and Ragged 

 Jack Kales are all specially hardy varieties, withstanding our 

 severest winters. The Matchless Curled and Dwarf Green Curled 

 are also very hardy and handsomer than the first-named, though 

 no better in quality. Where large quantities of Parsley (or a 

 substitute) are required for garnishing, the Variegated Kale is 

 very serviceable, especially in winter, when Parsley is scarce. 



Broccoli. 



A deeply-dug and firm, rich soil is essential for the production 

 of this useful winter vegetable. If the soil is very loose 

 the plants make large leaves, wanting in solidity, and when 

 severe weather sets in they collapse and rot. For first supplies 

 to cut, say, from the beginning of October to Christmas, the 

 following in their order of coming into use are varieties of 

 proved merit : Veitch's Self-Protecting Autumn (when true to 



