136 AMERICAN GARDENER. 



(little shoots from the sides of the stems) planted 

 on the spot where the crop is to be produced. 

 The mode of cultivation is in beds, precisely the 

 same in all respects as Asparagus; except, that 

 the Gale may be begun upon the second year. 

 Cover the beds thick with litter in winter ; so that 

 the frost may not enter very deep ; and, in April 

 (Long Island) you will have plenty. The moment 

 it peeps out, cut it, and you have a white stalk 

 seven or eight inches long, which is cooked just 

 as asparagus is, and is all eaten from top to bot- 

 tom. This plant is a native of the sea beach ; 

 and is as hardy as any weed that grows. Instead 

 of earth you may, if convenient, lay sand (and 

 especially sea sand} for it to shoot up through. 

 It may be moved at any age of the plant. Any 

 old stump of it will grow. After you leave off 

 cutting it in the spring, it goes shooting on, and, 

 during the summer it bears seed. In the fall the 

 stalks are cut down, and you proceed with the 

 beds as with those of Asparagus, Two beds 

 across any one of the plats are enough for any 

 family. This is, unquestionably (after the Aspa- 

 ragus) the very best garden vegetable that grows. 

 Sea-Cale may be had at any time in winter, as 

 easily as Asparagus (which see,) and with less 

 care. The roots may be dug up in the fall and 

 thrown under any shed with litter, or straw, over- 

 them, till you want them. The earth in the hot- 

 bed must be deeper than for Asparagus : that is 

 all the difference. The seed is saved as easily 

 as that of Asparagus. 



205. CAMOMILE is a medicinal herb of 

 great use. It is a perennial, and, though it may 

 be propagated from seed, it is easiest propagated 



