CHAP. V VILLA GAEDENING 417 



for thorough deep culture ; especially is this necessary when it is 

 blanched on the land where it grows. Though I do not consider 

 this is the best system generally, yet there may be circumstances 

 which render this course advisable, and at the present time it is 

 commonly done, especially with late crojis. In the latter case, 

 where no forcing is necessary — only some covering to keep the 

 light and air away — the same objections could not be urged. But 

 where roots can be grown strong enough to force in one season it 

 seems a folly to be burdened with permanent plantations. The 

 best time to plant Seakale is in the spring, say about March, and 

 by that time the land should be in the best possible condition. 

 In years gone by it was a common plan to save the roots which 

 had been forced in the ]\Iushroom-house or elsewhere, plant them 

 out again for the summer, and lift and force again in the autumn 

 or winter. The jilants went through this process till in course of 

 time they became exhausted or died, and as the strong ones 

 developed several crowns they were divided to increase stock. If 

 the land is deep and rich, very good Seakale can be grown in this 

 way, but it is hardly systematic enough to suit modern ideas. 



Propagation. — Like Horse-radish, there is no difficulty in its 

 propagation, for every bit of root ynll grow. When the plants are 

 lifted in autumn for forcing, the long roots arc shortened, and the 

 thongs cut away make excellent sets. The usual way is to take up 

 the whole stock of roots intended for forcing, trim off the long roots, 

 and lay the plants in some sheltered border thickly, where they can 

 be removed for forcing when required, no matter what the weather 

 may be. At the approach of frost some litter should be placed 

 over them. The small roots which were taken off may be laid in a 

 heap with some sand strewn among them till spring, say about the 

 end of ]\Iarch or beginning of April, when most of them will have 

 developed buds which should be cut into sets, 4 inches or so long, 

 so that a bud remains to grow into the future crown. Plant with 

 a dibble in rows 18 inches apart, and 15 inches between the sets. 

 In planting, leave the bud just on a level with the surface. 

 Cuttings without any visible buds may be planted, and will be 

 sure to grow, for Seakale is a difficult thing to destroy in ordinary 

 culture. The only care needed in summer is to keep down weeds 

 by frequent surface-stirring, and pinch off all attempts at flowering 

 by nipping the buds as soon as they can be seen, unless seed is 

 required. Seakale can also be raised from seeds, and grown large 

 enough, under good culture, in one year for forcing. The seeds 

 may be sown in two ways — in boxes under glass in March, and be 

 planted out when large enough, the same distances apart as was 

 given for root cuttings ; or in drills 1 inch deep, dropping the seeds 



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