132 THE GARDENER. [March 



skill be only mediocre, then sow in drills 1 foot apart, thinning to 6 inches in 

 the row, and transplant to the distances above mentioned the following spring, 

 and line roots for forcing will likely be the result. The forcing in this case is 

 just exactly the same as recommended for Asparagus, by means of a hotbed 

 and frame — only keep perfectly dark ; and if the roots be strong, fine Kale will 

 result. In all cases of cutting, cut a thin section of the old crown, for the 

 purpose of keeping the " head " together. It is also forced along with Rhubarb 

 in Mushroom-houses, or as recommended for Rhubarb, in warm cellars, in pots. 

 In propagating from roots, cut the fleshy roots into 10-inch lengths, and 

 transplant them with a dibble, keeping the right end up, and 1 inch below the 

 surface ; and if more growths than one result, remove them, leaving the 

 strongest. On thin, poor soils, a slight mulching of rotten manure and occa- 

 sional soakings of liquid-manure during summer — such as sewage, or farm-yard 

 drainings — will prove of the very greatest service in promoting a strong vigor- 

 ous growth, which is what should be aimed at if a fine succulent vegetable be 

 wanted. At a recent meeting of the " Scottish Horticultural Association," Mr 

 L. Dow recommended forcing the Swedish Turnips for a substitute ; and 

 having done so for some years, I can also recommend this. Indeed our main 

 supply is got by turning a part of the store (put up in pits for the supply of 

 the cows in spring) from February onward, when the sprouts are to be had in 

 fine condition ; and although similar to Seakale, they are prized as a variety 

 of vegetable when others are scarce, and a lesser quantity of Seakale serves. 

 As Mr Dow says, it is certainly economical, for Turnips are easily grown, and, 

 except the shoots forced out, they are not otherwise deteriorated, and remain 

 good cattle-food after being forced. , A Gardener. 



TRANSPLANTING AND POTTING CAMELLIAS. 



This appears to be a task of difficulty to many, considered a hazardous 

 undertaking, and in numerous cases as certain death to the plants. I 

 have beard it remarked times almost without number, that the lifting 

 of a large plant or plants would place their life in jeopardy ; therefore 

 the Camellia is looked upon as a plant not to be touched in the way 

 of lifting, after having been planted out. I can point to cases where 

 death has been the result of lifting, and the notion has afterwards 

 been entertained that the plants might as well die for the want of 

 lifting as be killed by removal. It should be considered, however, 

 whether this work was performed at the proper time, or was intrusted 

 to competent hands. Plants lift better out of some borders than 

 others. If the soil be light, the roots soon wander away, and cannot 

 be lifted with good balls ; but if the soil be of a heavier nature, and 

 made firm round the plants, the roots are nearer home and lift well. 



I know of large plants which have been almost periodically lifted 

 for a long time, and in every case with good results — never losing a 

 crop of flowers. In some cases the plants were lifted because they 

 grew too luxuriantly in their new border, after being confined to pots 



