The Culture of Vegetables 



The Silver Beet is grown for the midrib of the leaf, which is 

 considered by some to be equal to Asparagus. In a rank soil, with 

 plenty of liquid manure, the growth is quick, robust, and the plant of 

 good quality, without the necessity of earthing up. The leaves should 

 be pulled, not cut. As the stalks often turn black in cooking, it is 

 advisable to add a few drops of lemon-juice to the water in which they 

 are boiled, and, of course, soda should never be used. They should 

 be served up in the same manner as Asparagus. The remainder of 

 the leaf is dressed as Spinach. 



BORECOLE, or KALE 



Brassica oleracea acephala 



THE BORECOLES OR KALES are indispensable for the supply of 

 winter vegetables, and their importance becomes especially manifest 

 when severe frost has made general havoc in the Kitchen Garden. 

 Then it is seen that the hardier Borecoles are proof against the lowest 

 temperature experienced in these islands ; and, while frost leaves the 

 plants unharmed, it improves the tops and side sprouts that are 

 required for table purposes. 



As regards soil, the Borecoles are the least particular of the whole 

 race of Brassicas. They appear to be capable of supplying the table 

 with winter greens even when grown on hard rocky soil, but good 

 loam suits them admirably, and a strong clay, well tilled, will produce 

 a grand sample. Granting, then, that a good soil is better than a 

 bad one, we urge the sowing of seed as early as possible for insuring 

 to the plant a long season of growth. But early sowing should be 

 followed by early planting, for it is bad practice to leave the plants 

 crowded in the seed-bed until the summer is far advanced. This, 

 however, is often unavoidable, and it is well to consider in time 

 where the plants are to go, and when, according to averages, the 

 ground will be vacant to receive them. The first sowing may be 

 made early in March, and another in the middle of April. These 

 two sowings will suffice for almost all the purposes that can be 

 imagined. A good seed-bed in an open spot is absolutely necessary. 

 It is usual to draw direct from the seed-bed for planting out as oppor- 

 tunities occur, and this method answers fairly well. But when large 

 enough it is better practice to prick out as a preparation for the 

 final planting, because a stouter and handsomer plant is thereby 

 secured. If it is intended to follow the rough and ready plan, the 



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