ig8 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



and well furnished with their large wavy grey-green 

 leaves. 



About the end of October or early in November, 

 the dead and dying leaves are removed, and the beds 

 are cleaned up and hoed lightly, preparatory to having 

 the frames placed over them. The pathways are also 

 dug out 10 or 12 in. deep, some of the soil being placed 

 in the frames for " earthing up " the Seakale crowns, 

 the remainder being placed close at hand for filling 

 the trenches after the forcing is finished. 



When the temperature in the frames falls to 60 

 Fahr., the trenches between the frames are filled with 

 good manure. Each crown is covered with a heap of 

 soil about 6 to 7 in. deep, and the entire portion to be 

 forced is covered with dry leaves or straw to hasten 

 vegetation. About a month afterwards the first 

 shoots may be cut, taking care to sever each one about 

 half an inch above the " collar " of the plant. A 

 second crop may be secured from the same plants by 

 covering the crowns again, and treating in the same 

 way. After the second forcing the crowns are of 

 little use, and should be destroyed. The frames and 

 old manure are then removed, and the pathways are 

 filled up again with soil. 



Another method of forcing Seakale is to lift the 

 plants in October or November, and place them side 

 by side on a manure bed giving a heat of 60 to 65 

 Fahr., which has been covered with about 6 in. 

 of mould before the frames are placed on it. About 

 sixty-four crowns are thus forced under each light, 

 and the frames are " lined " with manure in the 

 way described above, to secure a steady temperature. 

 The plants are given a gentle watering after some 



