20 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



as those of the IMedes and Persians. No matter what the natural 

 bent of the tree may be, it must be cut and hewed into order. The 

 law is laid down to the very bud, and to that bud it must be cut. 

 But the time comes with trees as with nations, when an enlightened 

 regime must prevail. Their capabilities encouraged, good fruit of 

 large size is the result, filling the market as well as the fruit-room. 



The chief use to which the pruning-knife should be applied is the 

 thinning over - abundant fruit -spurs, or overcrowded branches, or 

 thinning out old wood to making way for young. This is quite 

 another thing from cutting back and cutting out young wood indis- 

 criminately ; and while advocating a sparing use of the knife, we can 

 just as much admire good training, believing that liberal culture and 

 a well-balanced tree are always accompaniments. 



The Squire's Gardener. 



THE KITCHEN-GABDEIT. 



NO. X. 



{Continued from page 66 o/1870.) 

 SEAKALE. 



Seakale is one of our own native jDlants. It is to be found in many 

 parts of England, Scotland, and the Isles, growing in sandy j)laces 

 close to the sea. It is about 100 years since it first made its 

 appearance in our markets as a cultivated vegetable, although the 

 inhabitants of the shores of England have very long before that time 

 made use of it as a vegetable, taking it immediately after it showed 

 itself above ground in March and April. When cultivated and 

 blanched it has taken a high position among delicate and wholesome 

 vegetables, and there are few gardens of our "better-to-do" classes in 

 which it is not cultivated and esteemed. And really fine Seakale in 

 the depth of winter and early spring is as much worthy of credit as 

 almost any vegetable that can be produced. 



The soil in which it is nearly always found growing is next to — 

 often is — pure sand mixed with a little vegetable deposit ; and this 

 alone is a guide to its requirements in the matter of soil. Experience 

 has shown that the finest Seakale is grown on deep rather light loams, 

 well manured, and trenched two and three spadings deep. It makes 

 long tap-roots, sending them down deep in search of food, consequently 

 the manure should be mixed with the soil rather deeply, and the same 

 as recommended for Salsafy and other deep-rooting crops. On very 

 light soils a more liberal amount of manure should be given than on 



