118 On the Culture 0/ Early Purpk Brocoli. 



with a large proportion of very rotten dung, frequently 

 turned over to pick out every sort of grub, or insect depo- 

 sited in it. The ground is kept constantly clean by hoeing, 

 whenever a seed leaf of any weed springs up, and the loose 

 surface is drawn together into a heap, round the stem of each 

 plant. 



The second crop is treated exactly as the first, but the 

 weaker plants left in the seed bed, are permitted to remain 

 eight or ten days longer to gain more strength. They are then 

 transplanted into pots of the size called sixteens, filled with 

 very rich compost, placing them close to each other in the 

 shade, and duly watering the plants, till they begin to grow 

 freely. After this, the pots are plunged in the open ground at 

 two feet distance from each other, every way, and about three 

 inches under the general level, leaving a hollow or bason 

 round each plant, to retain any water given to thein when 

 necessary. By the time the pots are filled with roots, and that 

 autumnal rains render watering unnecessary, the basons are 

 filled up by drawing the earth round each plant, at the same 

 • time pressing it firmly down to prevent the wind from shaking 

 them. A few of these plants in pots sometimes shew flowers 

 too soon, and to guard them from early frost, a leaf or two is 

 broken down over them. On the approach of settled frost in 

 December and January, all the pots are taken up and removed 

 to a frame, pit, or shed, where they can be sheltered from 

 the extreme severity of the winter, but have air when it is 

 milder, and by this method a supply is preserved for the table 

 in the hardest winters. To make Brocoli succeed in pots, I 

 find by experience, that it should be potted immediately from 

 the seed bed. If it is transplanted oftener, the head or flower 



