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. I 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 



