MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES 371 



SEA KALE 



Sea kale is an important forcing crop in European 

 countries. It is grown under glass to some extent in this 

 country, and it would seem that the vegetable should 

 have greater consideration by those who are endeavoring 

 to diversify their operations. 



The plants are readily propagated from seed or root 

 cuttings. Root cuttings are preferred by some growers, 

 but, for the production of crowns for forcing, seed is en- 

 tirely satisfactory. Two seasons are required to grow 

 the strongest forcing roots. The seed should be sown in 

 rich soil as early in the spring as the ground can be 

 worked. The drills should be about 2 feet apart and the 

 plants thinned to stand at intervals of 6 to 8 inches. A 

 vigorous growth should be encouraged. The following 

 spring the plants should be transplanted 3 by 3 feet apart 

 into soil of high fertility. 



Special feeding as provided by a manure mulch or 

 dressings of nitrate of soda will be found beneficial. The 

 seed stalks should be removed whenever they appear. 

 Any house which provides suitable temperatures for 

 lettuce will meet the requirements of sea kale. The 

 plants may be forced under greenhouse benches, in mush- 

 room houses and other inexpensive structures, such as 

 were described on page 195 for the forcing of rhubarb. 

 The crowns are set as close together as possible, in the 

 dark if desired, with fine soil filling all spaces between the 

 roots. Sufficient water is applied to keep the soil moist. 

 The crisp, tender leaves are picked whenever they attain 

 a length of 4 to 6 inches. When the plants are lifted in 

 the field at the end of the second season, the crown buds 

 should be cut out to prevent the plants from producing 

 seed. 



