158 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



Some of these plants run up with long stems, from two to 

 three or four feet high, crowned by a large, spreading, bushy 

 head of thick, fimbriated, curly leaves. They are very hardy, 

 and capable of standing almost the severest winters. In the 

 months of February and March, their long stems will be very 

 productive from the bottom to the top in numerous fine young 

 sprouts ; all of which, as well as the principal head, boil re- 

 markably green and tender. 



The seed must be sown the first week in the month : but, in 

 order to obtain strong, full-grown plants, with large stocky 

 heads, and strong stems to produce a large supply of sprouts, 

 a first crop should be sown in March or April, as directed 

 in those months. 



In dry weather, give the bed now and then a moderate 

 watering. The plants will be large enough to plant out in about 

 six weeks after the seed is sown; but when they have two 

 or three leaves, thin and prick out a number fi'om the seed- 

 bed four inches distant, that they may attain a proper size 

 for final ti'ansplanting. 



Those planted out finally in J une, J uly, and August, will 

 produce large heads fit to cut in October, November, or any 

 time during the winter, till the following spring. 



Several sorts of borecole are cultivated by the cottagers 

 and farmers in the north, particularly the Scotch kale, purple, 

 or brown kale, German greens or curlies, all of which are ex- 

 tremely hardy. It is greatly to be desired that the peasantry 

 of England would cultivate them more generally, as they 

 would afibrd an excellent vegetable in winter and spring, 

 particularly in those counties where much animal food is eaten. 

 They may be planted on gi'ound that has been occupied by 

 early crops of peas, potatoes, or such like crops ; or may be 

 planted between rows of late peas, scarlet runners, &c., and 

 will therefore occupy the ground when these latter crops have 

 been removed. 



SOWING AND PLANTING BRUSSELS-SPROUTS. 



The directions for broccoli will apply to the sowing and 

 planting of Brussels-sprouts ; the seed may now be sown, or 

 the plants pricked out 



