250 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



Uniform lengths are best for convenience in forcing. 

 Store the roots in sand or earth where they will not be 

 frozen in, or in sand in a cold cellar, until wanted. (As 

 for other plants, a period of rest before forcing is 

 advisable.) The side shoots are used for sets, as below. 



Methods of forcing are innumerable; it is done 

 either outdoors in trenches or in frames, in the ordinary 

 house-cellar or in the greenhouse. In any case the 

 roots are packed closely together in earth, the crowns 

 just showing, and are then covered six to nine inches 

 with any loose material; or are covered with pots or 

 boxes of sufficient depth. If the roots stand over ma- 

 nure, a few inches of earth should be between. Heat 

 should be applied gently and slowly, and should seldom 

 be above 65 degrees; 55 to 60 degrees is generally con- 

 sidered enough. When the shoots push through their 

 covering, they may be cut, taking part of the crown 

 with them, for convenience in handling. The roots, 

 once forced, are best thrown away. Forced shoots sel- 

 dom come to the same length at the same time, and 

 the bed must be repeatedly gone over until all are cut. 

 Ether forcing might be as successful as with rhubarb, 

 which see. 



Cut all shoots with a part of the crown As said 

 above, in the plantation it is safe to cut to the ground. 



Mulch in the fall with several inches of rough 

 manure. In the spring rake off the straw and work the 

 rest into the ground. Sea-kale being hardy, the mulch 



