HOW TO CULTIVATE WINTER GREENS 147 



Of the kales, marrow stem kale, which is a hybrid 

 between thousand headed kale and kohl rabi, is the 

 least hardy, but at the same time quicker in its growth 

 than other kinds of kale. It is especially valuable for 

 dairy cattle, the thick stalks which it produces being 

 very nutritious. 



MARROW STEM KALE 



When sown in the months of March or April, mar- 

 row stem kale gives excellent feeding in September, 

 and if the crop is then cut in such a manner as to 

 leave a stalk about six inches high, or if grazed with 

 sheep or cattle and a sufficiency of stalk is left, the 

 crop will give a second growth of valuable grazing 

 for the following spring, unless the winter be very 

 severe. 



Sown in early June, the crop will be ready for con- 

 sumption during the months of October, November 

 and December. If sown in early July, it can generally 

 be depended to provide good feeding from late Feb- 

 ruary onwards. 



In the northern parts of these countries, marrow 

 stem kale is not sufficiently hardy to withstand the 

 severe winter. Therefore, when sowing in these dis- 

 tricts, the farmer should plan to have the marrow 

 stem kale consumed before Christmas. 



There are two varieties of marrow stem kale — the 

 green and the purpled leaf. If there be any difference 

 the former seems to be more vigorous of growth than 

 the latter. One outstanding feature of the crop is its 

 drought-resisting properties. For this reason, prefer- 

 ence should be given to it in districts where the annual 

 rainfall is 25 inches, or where the rainfall is even 

 heavier, but the soil porous. At the same time it 



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