BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Brassica oleracea bullata gemmifera



Brussels Sprouts are everywhere regarded as the finest autumnal

vegetable of the strictly green class. They are, however, often very

poorly grown, because the first principle of success--a long growing

season--is not recognised. It is in the power of the cultivator to

secure this by sowing seed at the end of February, or early in March, on

a bed of light rich soil made in a frame, and from the frame the plants

should be pricked out into an open bed of similar light fresh soil as

soon as they have made half a dozen leaves. From this bed they should

be transferred to their permanent quarters before they crowd one

another, the object being at each stage to obtain free growth with a

sturdy habit, for mere length of stem is no advantage; it is a

disadvantage when the plant is deficient of corresponding substance. The

ground should be made quite firm, in order to encourage robust growth

which in turn will produce shapely solid buttons. This crop is often

grown on Potato land, the plants being put out between the rows in the

course of the summer. It is better practice, however, to plant Kales or

Broccoli in Potato ground, because of the comparative slowness of their

growth, and to put the Sprouts on an open plot freely dressed with

somewhat fresh manure. If a first-class strain, such as Sutton's

Exhibition, is grown, it will not only pay for this little extra care,

but will pay also for plenty of room, say two and a half feet apart

every way at the least; and one lot, made up of the strongest plants

drawn separately, may be in rows three feet apart, and the plants two

and a half feet asunder. For the compact-growing varieties two feet

apart each way will generally suffice. Maintain a good tilth by the

frequent use of the hoe during summer, and as autumn approaches

regularly remove all decaying leaves. Those who have been accustomed to

treat Sprouts and Kales on one uniform rough plan will be surprised at

the result of the routine we now recommend. The plants will button from

the ground line to the top, and the buttons will set so closely that,

once taken off, it will be impossible to replace them. Moderate-sized,

spherical, close, grass-green Sprouts are everywhere esteemed, and there

is nothing in the season more attractive in the markets.



Crops treated as advised will give early supplies of the very finest

Sprouts. For successional crops it will be sufficient to sow in the open

ground in the latter part of March, or early in April, and plant out in

the usual manner; in other words, to treat in the commonplace way of the

ordinary run of Borecoles. With a good season and in suitable ground

there will be an average crop, which will probably hold out far into the

winter. It is important to gather the crop systematically. The Sprouts

are perfect when round and close, with not a leaf unfolded. They can be

snapped off rapidly, and where the quantity is considerable they should

be sorted into sizes. The season of use will be greatly prolonged, and

the tendency of the Sprouts to burst be lessened, if the head is cut

last of all.