Seakale. 299 



crisp, or they are practically useless, and the grower should 

 set out to do all necessary to obtain such produce or he will be 

 well advised not to enter upon the business. To this end the 

 ground should, in the first instance, be bastard trenched or 

 subsoil ploughed, if deep working has not been done recently ; 

 but where the soil has received such treatment within the past 

 three years ordinary digging or ploughing will be sufficient. 

 Abundant supplies of farmyard manure are essential in every 

 case, assisted judiciously by concentrated fertilizers, and these, 

 in the quantities mentioned later, should be well distributed 

 over the surface previous to digging or ploughing, so that the 

 roots of the plants can find and utilize them at once and con- 

 tinuously. This work of preparation should be done before 

 winter, and the soil left ridged up so as to get the full benefit 

 of weather influences. When soil is put in ridges it not only 

 has the advantage of exposing a greater surface to the atmos- 

 phere, but it also lies drier, so that it is fit for working earlier 

 in the spring. About the first week of March, if the weather 

 conditions permit, the soil should be levelled by harrowing, 

 after which it may be marked out both ways with lines 15in. 

 or 18in. apart, every point where the lines cross being the 

 position for a plant to be set, and all will then be in readiness 

 for the work of planting out. 



Propagation by Seed. Raising Seakale plants from seed is 

 not often practised in market gardens, as it takes two years' 

 growth from seed to obtain crowns large enough to force 

 satisfactorily, whereas one season is sufficient to obtain them 

 from " thongs," or root cuttings. Still, when it is the grower's 

 intention to enter upon the business thoroughly, it is advisable 

 to raise plants from seed occasionally, so as to keep the stock 

 in a vigorous condition. On a bed of rich, clean soil, in a fine 

 tilth, sow the seed in March, in drills lin. deep and 12in. apart, 

 gently rolling afterwards. When the seedlings are well up, 

 thin out, and leave only the best standing about Gin. apart in 

 the rows. During the summer hoe frequently to keep weeds 

 down and to promote growth. One or two light sprinklings 

 with nitrate of soda and an occasional watering with liquid 

 manure will be amply repaid by the increased vigour of the 

 plants ; indeed, under such treatment, if given more space for 



