SEA-KALE. 277 



to that of honey. The seed is enclosed in a yellowish-brown 

 shell, or pod, which, externally and internally, resembles 

 a pit, or cobble, of the common cherry. About six hun- 

 dred seeds, or pods, are contained in an ounce ; and they 

 retain their germinative powers three years. u They are 

 large and light, and when sold in the market, are often old, 

 or imperfectly formed ; but their quality is easily ascertained 

 by cutting them through the middle ; if sound, they will be 

 found plump and solid." They are usually sown without 

 being broken. 



Preparation of the Ground, and Sowing. The ground 

 should be trenched to the depth of from a foot to two feet, 

 according to the depth of the soil, and well enriched through- 

 out. The seeds may be sown in April, where the plants are 

 to remain ; or they may be sown at the same season in a 

 nursery-bed, and transplanted the following spring. They 

 should be set or planted out in rows three feet apart, eighteen 

 inches apart in the rows, and the crowns covered three inches 

 deep. 



Culture. Keep the plants clear of weeds ; nip off the 

 shoots of such as tend to run to flower ; and in the autumn, 

 when the leaves have decayed, add a liberal dressing of com- 

 post, or stable manure. Very early in spring, stir or rake 

 over the bed, being careful not to injure the crowns of the 

 roots, and cover eight or ten inches deep with the material 

 intended for blanching. This may be beach sand, dry peat, 

 common gravel, or whatever of like character can be con- 

 veniently obtained. 



In England the plants are blanched by inverting over them 

 pots made for the purpose, and known as " sea-kale pots," 

 and sometimes by using as a substitute ten or twelve inch 

 flower-pots. 



Cutting. The sprouts are cut for use when they are 

 from three to six inches high, and the season continues about 

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