vOw] HOT-BEDS, 443 



nagemcnt, differs in notliin;^ from that stated in Ja- 

 nuary ; to which month the reader is referred for 

 full directions. 



Or, asparagus may be forced with equal or with 

 greater success, and with less trouble in a flucd-pit, 

 as directed in February. 



Of forcing Sea-Cale. 



Few indigenous vegetables are improved by forc- 

 ing. This esculent, however, is an exception to 

 the rule, if it may so be called, as it is absolutely 

 rendered, not only more delicate, but more delici- 

 ous by being forced, and that, too, even at mid- 

 winter. No other esculent we have at present in 

 use, is so easily or so cheaply forced ; which cir- 

 cumstance greatly enhances its value. 



For my method of the ordinary culture of this 

 plant, the reader is referred to the Culinary Garden 

 for April. I shall there take up the subject ; sup- 

 posing that the plants are placed in lines thirty 

 inches asunder, and fifteen or eighteen inches in 

 line, and are two or three years old. * 



The leaves should be trimmed from olT the plants 

 intended for forcing, the ground should be gently 

 forked up about them, and an inch or two of sand, 

 fine gravel, or of very light earth, should be laid over 

 the crowns of the roots, about the first of the month. 

 If it be intended to produce the shoots on the table 

 against Christmas, it will be proper at the same 

 time, to collect a sufficient quantity of stable-litter, 



* Sea-cale has been successfully forced, though only one year 

 old, but the shoots of course were small. 



