APRIL.] KITCHEN VEGETABLES. 69 



fear of them afterwards, unless in wet soils ; but I 

 have observed, tliat excepting in sand or sandy earth, 

 they often go off the first winter. 



The rows should be dressed every spring, just be- 

 fore the plants come through the ground, in every 

 respect as directed for asparagus in March. 



The plant is indigenous to most of the sea-shores 

 of England ; and if it can be planted in sea sand, 

 or in earth with a large proportion of sea sand in 

 it, and be manured with a compost of stable dung 

 and sea-weed, it will thrive better than in any other 

 soil. Being covered before winter with stable litter 

 and plenty of sea-weed, in the manner of asparagus^ 

 it will rise strongly in spring, being manured and in- 

 vigorated by the salts of the latter. 



Of blanching Sea-Cale. 



The sprouts, which rise at this time, and in May, 

 being properly blanched, are delicious. Some think 

 them even as good as asparagus. They are the more 

 delicious the better they are blanched j in order to 

 do which in tolerable perfection, they should be 

 moulded up as they advance, once in four or five 

 days, with sand, or with very light, dry earth, un- 

 til they have sprung to the length of eight or nine 

 inches from the crown of the root. 



If the rows or beds were hooped over, and cover- 

 ed with mats, the sprouts would be the better 

 blanched, and be the sooner fit for use. 



In gathering, clear aside the sand, and twist or 

 slip the sprouts carefully off with the hand, which is 

 a better method than that of cutting, as not injuring 



