BROCCOLI, a species of the Brassica, or Cabbage-plant, cultivated for the use of the table. There are several kinds of this plant, particularly the purple, the white, and the black broccoli, &c. but the Roman, or purple species, is preferable to all others. The seeds of this vegetable should be sown about the latter end of May, or beginning of June, and when the young plants have germinated eight leaves, they should be transplanted into beds. By this management, towards the latter end of July they will be fit to be planted out in some well sheltered piece of ground, at the distance of a foot and a half in the rows, and two feet between each row.
The soil proper for broccoli is rather light than heavy. The brown, or black species, though inferior to the Roman, is much hardier. It should be sown in the middle of May, and planted about two feet and a half asunder. Naples broccoli has a white head similar to the cauliflower, and is scarcely distinguishable from it in flavour.
According to Dr. Darwin, the cultivation of broccoli and cauliflower must be very similar, except as to the seasons of the year; for they are varieties of the same species. The following directions for the culture of this plant were transmitted to the Doctor by Mr. Tighe, of Ireland; which, for their practical utility, we shall lay before our readers.
Broccoli may be so managed, as to supply the table with a delicious and salutary vegetable during seven months of the year, namely, from the beginning of November till the end of May. For this purpose, procure prime seed from Rome or Naples, both for early and late sowing. Sow at the cessation of the vernal snows, and repeat it once a month till the end of May, or longer. When three leaves appear, transplant them; and when six leaves appear, transplant them a second time. Afterwards in June, July, and August, transplant them again two or three feet asunder, and let them remain. During September and October, the ground must be loosened, repeatedly cleared from weeds and stones, and the plants earthed up, to preserve their roots from the frost, and to prevent their being injured by the equinoctial winds. Sprinkle the mould about them occasionally with water impregnated with dung. Care should be taken to sow and plant them at a distance from hedges, trees, and walls.
The head of the broccoli is generally completed in five or six days from its first appearance, and should not be suffered to remain much longer; the stalk may be boiled with the flower, but should be peeled before it is brought to the table.
Some kinds of Italian broccoli are said to produce bulbs at their roots, which are supposed to be for the purpose of supporting other stems. If such stalks appear, they should be broken off when the principal stem is transplanted.
In order to obtain good seed of the Naples broccoli, a few of the largest heads of the earliest growth must be reserved to run up to seed. All the under shoots should be taken off from time to time as they sprout, leaving only the principal stem to produce flowers and seed. By this management, if no other species of cabbage be permitted to seed near the broccoli, its will be as good as those imported, and the propagation of the plant may thus be continued for many years.