STATISTICAL NOTES. 



101 



of " Snows " and " Models " lengthen their season, but have no 

 perceptible effect on the length of season of the other varieties 

 of Broccoli grown. All Broccoli, and other vegetable plants, 

 are "pricked out," and afterwards planted out in the breaks for 

 crop. Broccoli are laid over, with heads to north and stems 

 covered with earth, in November, and are seldom injured in our 

 severest winters, heads of "Snows" being regularly cut from 

 under a covering of snow. As a rule, the ground is not manured 

 for a crop of Broccoli, as rich manure is liable to give it a strong 

 flavour, and cause a rank growth much more susceptible to 

 frost than when grown in unmanured soil. 



The Brussels Sprouts exhibited are the well-known " Dal- 

 keith " variety, which is largely grown in the district, and suits 

 admirably. It is of a sturdy habit of growth, thickly set with 

 firm, medium- sized sprouts ; does not soon run to seed, and 

 stands our severest winters uninjured. It delights in plenty of 

 manure and high cultivation. 



The Vanack Cabbage exhibited is the most useful garden 

 Cabbage we have, and furnishes a supply of excellent little 

 Cabbages all the year round. Sown in July, it usually forms 

 nice heads in the end of January and onwards, if the season is 

 not too severe to prevent all growth. It is one of the hardiest 

 of Cabbages, and very prolific in giving a second crop of nice 

 heads, which are special favourites with French cooks. Its 

 flavour and quality are of the finest. 



The Leeks — Musselburgh, Ayton Castle, and The Lyon — 

 are the favourite strains with market gardeners, private 

 gardeners, and exhibitors. Musselburgh is the hardiest, and 

 preferred by most people for the main crop. It is largely grown 

 in the district for market. Ayton Castle is a large, paler 

 coloured, and softer variety, a favourite in gardens as producing 

 fine large early Leeks of rather milder flavour than the 

 Musselburgh, although that is not always considered an im- 

 provement by connoisseurs of Leek soup. 



The Potatoes exhibited comprise several popular new varieties 

 raised in Scotland : The Bruce, The Maggie, and The Cobbler. 

 All are very productive in rich garden soil, which, however, 

 spoils the quality of all but the earliest varieties of Potatoes. 

 Ashleaf Kidney (Veitch's) and Sutton's Early Begent are first- 

 class, both crop and quality, in the same soil. 



