24 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



vigorous kinds in good ground will pay for another foot distance, and 

 will yield enormous crops when their time arrives. The planting 

 should be done during showery weather if possible, but these plants 

 have an astonishing degree of vitality, and if put out during drought, 

 a mere spoonful of water to each will suffice to save them, and as the 

 cool weather returns they will grow with vigour. But good cultiva- 

 tion saves a plant from extreme conditions, and it is an excellent 

 practice to dig in green manure when making ground for Kales and 

 the like, as a free summer growth is needful to the formation of a 

 stout productive plant. 



We have suggested above that two sowings may be regarded as 

 generally sufficient, but we are bound to take notice of the fact that 

 the late supplies of these vegetables are sometimes disappointing. In 

 a mild winter the Kales reserved for use in spring will be likely to 

 grow when they should stand still, and at the first break of pleasant 

 spring weather they will bolt and become useful to the honey bees, 

 to the injury, perhaps, of the seed growers of the district, and very 

 much to the vexation of the man who expected many a basket of sprouts 

 from them. A May sowing planted out in a cold place may stand 

 until spring is somewhat advanced without bolting, and an August 

 sowing may serve two purposes, the forwardest being useful -to cut 

 from in spring, and the backwardest being suitable to plant out for 

 early supplies in the following autumn. 



As regards the varieties, they agree pretty nearly in constitution, 

 although they differ much in appearance and in power to resist the 

 excitement of spring weather. But in this section of vegetables there 

 are a few very interesting subjects. The Variegated and Crested 

 Kales are extremely ornamental and eminently useful in large places 

 for decorative purposes. These do not require so rich a soil as the 

 robust Cottagers Kale or Curled Scotch, and they must have the 

 fullest exposure to bring out their peculiarities. It is found that in 

 somewhat dry calcareous soils these plants acquire their highest 

 colour and most elegant proportions. When planted in carriage 

 drives and other places where their colours may be suitably displayed, 

 it is a good plan to cut off their heads soon after the turn of the 

 year, as this promotes the production of side shoots of the most 

 beautiful fresh colours. The Dwarf Green and Dwarf Purple endure 

 an arctic winter uninjured, and both are elegantly crisped. Buckman's 

 Hardy is also excellent for a late supply ; and in an average season 

 remains good until quite late in spring. This should be sown with 

 the other Kales in the usual way, but it will be well to make a special 



