Seakale. 307 



only suitable for well-drained soil. Should the manure in the 

 alleys become wet and cold after heavy rain or snow it will be 

 necessary to fork it up so that the wind can blow through and 

 dry it. A little fresh mixed with it before it is trodden down 

 again will revive the heat. 



To force the crowns which were planted in clumps, each is 

 covered with litter a few weeks before a start is intended, to 

 keep frost out of the soil. Then at starting time the litter is 

 removed and each clump covered with a box with a movable lid 

 or with a Seakale pot. These are surrounded with hot manure, 

 and litter should be put over the tops to conserve the warmth 

 and to prevent any light getting in. In the course of a few 

 weeks well-blanched heads will be ready for cutting. 



" Natural " Seakale. A portion of a plantation is usually 

 reserved for growing Seakale naturally, that is, allowing it to 

 remain in the same beds year after year and to make its 

 customary 'spring growth at the usual time, without artificial 

 heat; this is known as "natural" Kale. In the instructions 

 for making a plantation (page 300) it was suggested that the 

 rows of plants be 15in. apart, that beds of three rows be left for 

 natural Seakale, and that two rows be lifted to form alleys 

 3ft. 9in. wide between the beds. The surface of each bed is 

 raked clean in the autumn and the soil in the alleys, within 6in. 

 of the bed on each side, broken up well and ridged. When the 

 soil has become mellow by weathering it is laid on the bed to 

 the depth of Sin. (not more), with the sides sloped a little to 

 prevent it falling away. This work must not be done in wet 

 weather and the soil must be fine and crumbly. Cutting begins 

 from the middle to the end of March, according to the earliness 

 of soil and season, and continues to the end of April. When 

 cracks are seen in the surface of the soil, owing to the growth 

 of the shoots, or the tips are just showing through, cutting may 

 begin. If the beds are of any extent and likely to be several 

 weeks in cutting, those coming last should be covered with 

 a few inches of short litter to exclude light. Cutting is done 

 with a sharp flat spade, the heads being cut about iin. below 

 the crown. The soil is thrown into the alley, but about lin. is 

 returned to the bed to cover up the cut stumps. When cutting 

 is finished, the alleys are given a 3in. coat of well-rotted manure 



