Broccoli is simply a variety of cauliflower that is more commonly grown
for fall use, as it is rather more hardy than the true cauliflower.
Lee's Sprouting Broccoli is a branching sort that is esteemed in
some places. There is a great deal of misunderstanding regarding the
Cauliflower and Broccoli. Both are the same in their general make
up and growth, both producing heads in the same manner and to the
casual observer are taken one for the other. The difference is that
Cauliflower is a more tender variety and therefore will not stand a
very low temperature. The seed is sown in early spring and will produce
heads during the summer. The Broccoli will stand a temperature as low
as 25 without much injury to the plant. The seed is sown in the spring,
the plants set out in June or early part of July and continue to grow
until the spring following, some varieties producing heads at intervals
during winter and up to as late as May. Attention needs to be directed
during the winter to such plants as are about to produce heads. These
should have the outer leaves turned over the head to protect it from
frost to which it is very susceptible. The seed may be sown and the
plants treated in every way as for the cabbage. They thrive well in a
deep, rich soil. Much better results would be had if more attention
were given to the matter of deep cultivation, that is, in deep spading
or plowing of the ground. Manure that has been well composted should
be used plentifully and plowed in deep. By so doing the roots of the
plants are encouraged to penetrate deep into the soil where they can
find moisture as well as food. The shallow plowing in of manure has
the tendency to keep the feeding roots of plants near the surface and
will therefore soon dry out and turn blue, and when once the plants are
stricken with the blues no further growth will be made and they might
as well be discarded.--(Oreg. E. S. 74; N. C. E. S. 132.)