Ch. XLVL] ON FARMERS' GARDENS. 573 



fifth, and every year afterwards. The alleys between asparagus-beds are 

 always rich, in consequence of the winter coverings being raked into them. 

 They are therefore fit receptacles for rows of cauliflowers, which are ano- 

 ther culinary delicacy, acceptable to every one who can obtain them. 



Sea kale is a prolific plant of easy culture. If raised from seeds, it 

 requires two years to bring it to perfection, but is so liardy as to withstand 

 any common degree of frost. Jf planted out from a hot-bed, the roots on 

 being divided may be propagated abundantly, and the vegetable will be 

 ready for table at a much earlier period of the year than asparagus. The 

 directions for its cultivation, extracted from a treatise lately written by Mr. 

 Towers, author of the Domestic Gardener's Manual, are as follows : — 



f " The beds ought to be prepared as for asparagus ; and of a light sandy turf, 

 with a natural manuring of sea-weed alone, or artificially — with one-fourth of a 

 compost consisting of perfectly reduced fern, or leaf-mould, nine parts — wood- 

 ashes, one part — and about half a pound of common salt to every barrow-load of 

 the compost. This last chemical compound contains a large proportion of the 

 components of sea-water, and the wood-ashes yield carbonate of lime in its most 

 effective state, also some carbonate of potassa, and fine silex. Three barrows 

 of light sandy turf, and one barrow of the above compost, give proportions which 

 promise to yield a medium of growth of the most permanent and effective cha- 

 racter. In it sea-kale and asparagus might be grown for forcing, either side by 

 side, or in separate plots, the treatment of the one would be applicable to the 

 other ; and therefore one description will suit both. I only observe, that, if 

 neither turf nor sea-weed can be obtained, good kale can be produced in any 

 light garden soil, trenched in the manner before described for asparagus beds, 

 and manured copiously with wood (not coal) ashes, and the prescribed quantity 

 of common salt. 



" If the seed be good, the season propitious, warm, and moist, germination 

 will rapidly advance ; and when the plants appear, they may be secured from 

 vermin by sprinkling around and within them a good covering of wood.ashes 

 (three parts) blended with soot and powdered lime, of each one part. If weeds 

 arise and threaten to surmount the plants, they must be kept under by surface- 

 hoeing to the depth of an inch, with the ' Dutch ' or thrust hoe. Perhaps three 

 plants will arise from each ring, and these, indeed all that grow, must remain 

 till they begin to interfere with each other; then, one only, the strongest, must 

 be left, and the others drawn, or raised up ; so that a complete row of single 

 plants, from 1 foot to 15 inches apart, finally remain. The young supernume- 

 raries may be set out in rows, to grow for succession, or be thrown away if no 

 more stock be required. The plants in the rows will grow luxuriantly, and be- 

 come very large, so much so as, in all probability, to come in contact, forming 

 one connected line of sea-green foliage. All the culture during the summer 

 and autumn, will consist in keeping the beds clear from weeds, and in digging 

 altei-nate spaces two or three times, to the depth of nine inches, so as to pul- 

 verize and render the soil as fine as possible. At the two last operations (say 

 in July and October), it will be as well to incorporate with the soil a two-inch 

 layer of decayed leaves, mixed with one-fourth part of pure wood-ashes. 



*' The reader will be very careful to avoid sea-coal, or even pit-coal a<hes. It 

 formerly was the custom to cover sea-kale with conical hills of those ashes 

 during winter, and one out of three or four plants perished, the damage being 

 ascribed to mice or moles. I never have lost a plant since I left oft" that acri- 

 monious chemical compound, styled ashes, nor could I, by any means keep my 

 bed entire, while I employed it. Its destructive influence has at length been 

 admitted, and sea-kale now enjoys a regular growth, and repays its cultivator." 



It may be sown or planted on a bed of light, sandy soil ; and, if wanted 

 very early in the spring, the bed may be covered thickly with dry leaves, 

 or litter, to bring the shoots forward ; or, if the plants be covered with 

 large flower-pots, and these with hot dung heaped over for a week or two, 

 will bring tiie kale up early, and at a time when most acceptable : forcing 



