162 



GARDEKING FOR THE SOUTH. 



and tlic plants are more benefited by copious watering, 

 especially witb liquid manure. The beds should be four 

 feet wide for convenience in culture. For winter use, the 

 leaves may be covered with litter and afford blanched leaf 

 stalks all Avinter. If the soil be moist and kept mellow, 

 and free from weeds, it will yield bountifully. Salt is a 

 beneficial manure for this crop, applied while preparing 

 the ground, as it keeps it moist. It is singular that a 

 plant of so easy culture and yielding during the entire 

 season after May a supply of the most delicate greens, has 

 not come into more general cultivation. Those who have 

 cultivated it once in good soil will hardly be willing to do 

 without it. To preserve seed, see " Beta Vulgaris." 



Use. — The leaves, stalks, and all are boiled as summer 

 greens ; or the midrib and stalk may be peeled and boiled 

 separately from the rest of the leaf and prepared as 

 asparagus for which they are an excellent substitute. In 

 gathering, the largest outside leaves should first be taken 

 and the inner ones left to increase in size, taking care to 

 gather them while still perfectly green and vigorous. 

 The leaf-stalks are greatly improved if earthed-up like 

 celery. 



To Boil. — Strip the leaves from their stalks ; boil them 

 very quickly ; drain and press very close, and serve with 

 melted butter. The stalks tie in bundles ; boil till tender ; 

 di-ess, and serve as asparagus. 



Brassica — The Cabbage Tribe. 



This tribe, perhaps the most important cultivated in our 

 gardens, includes the cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, broccoli, 

 Brussels, sprouts, rape, and kale. It seems to be one of 

 the most ancient in cultivation, and was a well-known 

 favorite with the Romans. Lindley observes, that of this 

 genus there are nearly a thousand species scattered over 



