BORECOLE OR KALE 161 



The present variety is one of these, and is very highly esteemed in 

 the Southern United States. It does not form a head, but the 

 leaves, which are large, undulated, and slightly curled at the edges, 

 are folded at the heart or centre, so as to form a sort of bunch, 

 being also variegated with white on the ribs, and presenting some- 

 what of the appearance of the central leaves of the Cauliflower when 

 the head is just about to form. These leaves are very tender and 

 delicate when cooked, and, in fact, form an excellent table vegetable. 

 The plant grows from 2 to 3 ft. high, according to the nature of 

 the soil in which it is grown and the liberal amount of culture 

 bestowed upon it. 



Curled Laciniated Borecole. A half-dwarf plant, not usually 

 over 20 or 24 in. in height, with long curved leaves, divided into strips 

 almost straight or slightly curved and curled, which give them a 

 feathery appearance. The colour is generally a dull red, or purplish, 

 green, but after the frosts the central part of the plant becomes 

 a vivid red. 



Proliferous Borecole. This rather singular variety is remark- 

 able for producing on the midrib, and sometimes on the smaller 

 veins of the leaf, certain leaf-like appendages, which are curled and 

 cut in the same manner as the leaf itself is at the margin. The 

 plants are also usually, at the same time, variegated with white or 

 red. They are chiefly noticeable as ornamental plants. 



Palm-tree Cabbage or Borecole. Stem straight, or slightly 

 curved, attaining a height of 6| ft. or more, 

 and bearing at the top a cluster of leaves, 

 which are entire, from 2 to over 2\ ft. long 

 and 3 or 4 in. broad, the edges turned and 

 rolled underneath, dark, almost black, green 

 in colour, and finely crimped, like those of 

 the Savoy Cabbages. They grow straight 

 and stiff at first, but afterwards become 

 curved outwards at the ends, giving the plant 

 a very elegant appearance. The Palm-tree 

 Cabbage does not often flower before the 

 third year of its growth, at which time it 

 attains its greatest height. In France it is 

 almost exclusively grown as an ornamental 

 plant. In Italy a variety is grown for table 

 use under the name of Cavolo Nero, which p aim-tree Cabbage, or 



, . , . . . . , . rSorecoie. 



seems to us to be identical with this. 



Several varieties of strong tall Cabbages are used for feeding 

 cattle only, and need only a brief mention here. They are as 

 follows : 



Tree Cabbage or Jersey Kale. The stem is straight, stiff, and 

 strong, but comparatively slender, as it seldom attains a diameter 



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