July 12 , 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
23 
Well might he say they did not pay for growing, and when I knew 
this I could thoroughly understand his clinging to the early Potato 
crop. Brussels Sprouts certainly would not be a paying crop at 
fid. a stone, but for double that amount they would pay well. 
Small growers are placed at great disadvantages, and if they 
attempted to send their produce to good markets at a distance it is 
very questionable if they would get even fid. a stone returned, the 
whole would be swallowed up between commission, porterage, and 
railway rates. Not only so, but small odd lots are often sold for 
considerably less than the market value. I have known many 
instances of this, and those who send a regular supply of produce 
in moderate quantities fare the best, but those who can take their 
own produce and sell it have the best of the bargain. This would, 
and does not pay, those even in the neighbourhood of good markets 
unless they can take sufficient to more than compensate them for 
the time taken up in going to market. Fruit and vegetable growers 
residing some distance from a market would do well to unite in 
sending their produce, which would allow of their sending it away 
to markets where vegetables are in demand, with the result that ail 
would profit by so doing. Not only should they unite for this 
purpose, but if they formed associations they might bring ample 
influence to bear upon the officials of the railway company that 
runs through their district to carry garden produce at reduced rates. 
Not only is this a question for the grower, but the consumer also 
should move as well in bringing this matter prominently forward. 
In the end the railway companies would gain largely by so doing, 
the consumer would benefit enormously, and the grower would be 
fairly remunerated for his labour. Landowners would also gain, 
for land that is now idle would soon be brought under cultivation 
and would yield a very fair return. Such a step might, and would, 
be the means of raising a cry for a reduction of rents for laud in 
the neighbourhood of towns, but good land near good markets will 
always be worth sufficient rent per acre to make it a good invest¬ 
ment, even if considerably less is paid for it than is the case at 
present. 
I have said that the present state of things affects the consumer 
of vegetables enormously, and it may be well to examine the grounds 
for such a supposition. If we consider for a moment, my friends, 
Brussels Sprouts, last year, practically given away, and the lowest 
price they realised last season in good markets in the provinces— 
namely, 2s. a stone clear. The supply at this price was not equal 
to the demand, and higher prices were obtained, but it is as well to 
give the lowest. Now these were bought by greengrocers and sold 
by them, therefore readers can form their own idea what the con¬ 
sumer had to pay for them. Some might, and doubtless would, 
lose considerably by altered circumstances on the lines suggested, 
but I think it only right that the consumer should be able to obtain 
produce without having to pay exorbitant prices, as is often the 
case at present. 
To return to our subject. Brussels Sprouts if well grown, and 
the strain good, are a certain crop. They are not half so liable 
to club as Broccoli, and are certain to brave without injury the 
severest of winters. When raised early they can be cleared from 
the ground in time for any other crop. The latest supplies can be 
cleared in time for a crop of French Beans ; in fact before it is 
wise to sow the main crop of these, two rows of Cos Lettuces 
may be planted, and the Beans sown between them after the 
middle of April. The latest Sprouts are best obtained from plants 
■sown outside in a sheltered position the last week of March or 
during the first days of the following month. If plants from this 
sowing are planted out directly they are ready on well-worked and 
liberally manured land, they will become strong and prove very 
remunerative, especially if they are assisted with liquid manure 
after the Potatoes are dug. But if planting is delayed until dry 
weather in June or later, they will be a long time before they make 
progress ; in fact half the season will be gone before they are 
thoroughly established and growing freely, therefore the return is 
scarcely half what it otherwise would be. When late planting is 
practised the plants may be placed 15 inches instead of 18 inches 
apart in the row. Brussels Sprouts without doubt do best and pay 
best when the plants are raised early. They attain a greater length, 
and consequently yield at least a third more sprouts. This esteemed 
vegetable is in demand directly Peas and French Beans fail. The 
market supply of the former is generally of short duration in com¬ 
parison with that obtained in private gardens by successional sow¬ 
ings. Beans are then demanded and followed by the Sprouts. 
Seed should not, however, be sown too early, the 1st of March 
being soon enough. When sown early in February there is some 
risk of failure from the plants commencing to flower during the 
early part of June, especially if dry weather sets in during May. 
Another cause of flowering or “ bolting” is pricking the plants out 
of the seed boxes into other boxes or frames in light rich compost 
that induces a quick soft growth. Plants raised by such means are 
not to be relied upon. They may be as large again as plants raised 
on hardier principles by planting time, but the smaller sturdier 
plants in the end will surpass them. If the seed is sown in boxes 
the plants should be grown hardy until they are large enough for 
pricking into frames placed on the ordinary soil of the garden. Our 
plan is to sow in a frame and then draw out the largest plants and 
transplant them when large enough 2 inches apart in a sheltered 
position where they can have slight protection at first if cold severe 
weather follows*transplanting. 
\ Planting in the position in which they are to grow is commenced 
as the Potatoes receive their final earthing. The Potatoes are 
planted in shallow drills drawn out with a hoe made for the 
purpose, and then earthed-up directly they show, and the soil is 
well worked to destroy small weeds. If the weather is dry water 
is poured between the rows and the Sprouts placed in. A little 
water to start them prior to planting is all that is needed, for sturdy 
plants are soon established, and at this time of year are growing 
vigorously. 
Small Sprouts are not the most profitable for the market, they 
take too much gathering and weigh too light. The Aigburth is one 
of the best. When gathering commences it is unwise to spoil the 
sample by mixing the loose Sprouts with those that are firm and 
compact. In the end it is the most satisfactory to gather these and 
sell them by themselves. Such “dodges” are too frequently 
practised, and only entail disappointment and loss on the buyer, 
while the grower adds to his reputation to such an extent that his 
produce is passed by for that of men who can be fully relied upon. 
—Marketer. 
THE GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION. 
Undoubtedly this, in our opinion, is one of the best, and best 
managed of charitable institutions in this country. It enjoys the 
patronage of the Queen and Prince of Wales, the Duke of West¬ 
minster is its President, and its Vice-Presidents include noblemen 
and gentlemen of distinction in the horticultural world, or in 
sympathy with the objects of the charity. Its stability is certified 
by the fact of upwards of £21,000 being invested in Consols, and is 
increasing yearly. It affords support to 12(1 pensioners ; gardeners 
whose term of labour is over, or widows of gardeners, who are thus 
provided with sustenance in their old age. The sum distributed in 
pensions last year amounted to £2124 10s., apart from the special 
distribution of £655, contributed mainly by gardeners commemo¬ 
rative of the fiftieth year of Her Majesty’s reign, and which enabled 
£5 extra to be granted to each pensioner and to each unsuccessful 
candidate at the last election. Thus an enormous amount of good 
is being done by this Institution, but as remarked by the Chairman 
in h's speech at the dinner referred to below, a great number 
of persons who derive a large amount of pleasure from their 
gardens are not yet enrolled as subscribers to the fund. Mr. 
Veitch also pointed out the sad fact that at the last election no 
less than fifteen candidates had to be excluded through the 
amount at disposal being exhausted. 
In the election of persons to participate in the benefits of the 
Institution preference is given to subscribers for fifteen years, 
subject, however, to the rules bearing on an investigation of the 
claims of applicants. There are about 1100 subscribers of a guinea, 
but by no means all of them are gardeners, several nurserymen, 
seedsmen, and others contributing not for their own benefit, so 
that it would appear there are many who might at some time be 
glad to share in the advantages of the Institution that do not yet 
accord it support. Hundreds would willingly do so no doubt if 
they were able, but. a large margin must remain of gardeners who 
could spare a guinea a year who have not yet seen their way to do 
so ; but several have collected 10 guineas, and in this way become 
life subscribers, and who at some time if necessity should arise may 
have preference m an election. The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent 
Institution deserves extended support both from the affluent who 
derive pleasure and benefit from gardens and from those who cul¬ 
tivate them, and if the latter should be so fortunate as not to need its 
assistance their satisfaction should be the greater in contributing to 
the support in the time of need of their less favoured fellow workers. 
The anniversary festivals of the Institution rank among the 
events of the year in the horticultural world. The first of these 
gatherings was held in 1844, at which Mr. John Noble presided, 
and the last held at the “Albion,” Aldersgate Street, London on the 
4th inst., when a distinguished statesman and orator was expected 
to occupy the position of chairman. Illness prevented Mr. Cham¬ 
berlain’s attendance, and the disappointment was deeply felt. The 
President of the Royal Horticultural Society—Sir Trevor Law¬ 
rence, Bart, M.P.—kindly stepped into the breach and acquitted 
himself well. The room and approaches were beautifully decorated 
