TURNIP-ROOTED CABBAGE (SWEDISH TURNIP) 171 



summer, the plants soon run to seed. Accordingly it is usually 



grown in the same way as Turnips ; that is, it is sown about the 

 I end of July, or in August, for an autumn or early winter crop. 

 J The seed is sown in drills, with a space of 16 to 20 in. between 

 1 them, and the seedlings are thinned out two or three times. When ' 



they are fully grown, the leaves are often 20 in. long, including the 



stalk. The leaves are eaten boiled, like Borecole, and the ribs are 



sometimes sent to table like Asparagus, Broccoli, or Chard Beet. 

 Heading Chinese Cabbage or Pe-Tsai {Brassica sinensis, 



L.,var.). Native of China. — Annual. — The Pe-tsai,like the Pak-choi, 

 ! differs entirely in appearance from the Cabbages of Europe, being 



rather like a Cos Lettuce in aspect. Like it, it sometimes forms a 

 |l long, rather full and compact 

 [I head, and sometimes grows in a 



plain cluster of half-erect leaves, 



disposed in the form of a funnel. 



The ribs are not so white as 



those of the Pak-choi ; they are 



pretty thick and fleshy, and 



the blade of the leaf, although 



narrower at the base, is continued 



down the whole length of the 



stalk. The leaves are slightly 



crimped, undulated at the edges, 



and pale or light green. The 



seed very much resembles that 



of the Pak-choi. Its germi- 

 nating power lasts for five years. improved Heading Chinese Cabbage. 



The floral parts of the plant are 



similar to those of the Pak-choi, and both plants are cultivated 

 and used in precisely the same manner. 



There has also been imported from China a form of Brassica 

 sinensis with perfectly round dark green leaves, narrowed at the 

 base into the stalk, forming extremely dense tufts or rosettes ; the 

 flower-stems also are much shorter than those of the Pe-tsai or 

 the Pak-choi. This plant does not appear to be of much account 

 as a table vegetable. Botanically, it exhibits in excess the charac- 

 teristics which distinguish Brassica sinensis from Brassica oleracea. 



Improved Heading Chinese or Pe-tsai Cabbage. — A fine 

 strain of Chinese Cabbage, vigorous and rapid. It can be recom- 

 mended as a winter vegetable for mild climates. The leaves are 

 large, light green, and curved at the edge ; the rib is broad and 

 white, only slightly bare at the base. The first leaves are spreading 

 and curved outwards, the later ones cover one another like those of 

 ■a Cos Lettuce, and form a fine tall head, weighing easily 4 lb. and 

 over. It should be sown during summer for use in the autumn 



