174 THE FORCING GARDEN. 
in succession if, when they are put on, they are trodden 
well among the pots, filling up all the spaces, and if 
the leaves are wet they will work in very close and 
form a lasting heat for the whole of the time required 
for the Kale. JI have found that it is considerably the 
better when forced by leaves than by stable manure. 
Leaves can be raked up during November, and put on 
at once. 
It is better, in my opinion, to plant but one of the 
kind, if strong, for a smaller pot, than to plant three 
crowns in one place for a large pot. Or three crowns 
may be placed quite close together, instead of five or 
six inches apart, in an angle, as is more usual. I have 
found that when they are so planted the crowns in- 
variably get beyond the limits of the large-sized pots, 
and generally come outside it, or Just under the rim. 
One good strong root is enough for a pot, and some 
sea-sand should be dug into the soil when a plantation 
is made, and the whole space in which the pots are 
should be covered with three inches of sea-sand, com- 
pletely covering the crown of the plant. This will keep 
down slugs. 
Some preparation is necessary before forcing time 
comes on. In the course of the summer go over the 
crowns and thin them out, leaving no more than three, 
which should be the strongest. If this is not done 
there will be a crowd of spray crowns, which will give 
poor Kale, pithy and small stuff. Good bold crowns, 
are what is wanted to produce a fine vegetable ; three 
of such crowns to each pot are enough. There is no 
doubt but that the very best Sea-kale may be pro- 
duced under such circumstances, and that the poor, 
pithy, and insipid kind which we see at times is grown 
