SUA KALE AND CHICORY 24.) 



stock, althougli thc\- should not be robbed of many. It is better to grow a few 

 stock plants solely lor root cuttings. iMedium-sized root cuttings are prefer- 

 able to oversturdy ones, and the young roots will ultimately make better plants 

 than would be obtained from transplanting older and thicker parts. At times, 

 when stock is somewhat scarce, root cuttings are made from plants that have 

 been forced, but I do not approve of this method, for the constitution of a plant 

 which has gone through the forcing process is considerably weakened, and it is 

 not a fit subject for reproduction. 



Root cuttings should be made four or five inches in length. Cuttings set 

 out in early Spring should make plants strong enough for forcing by the fol- 

 lowing Winter. The number of plants intended for Winter forcing should be 

 lifted before hard freezing sets in, and stored in a cool, moist place. Introduce 

 them into heat from December on, a batch about every ten days. Insert the 

 roots in a loose, moist, open soil, placing them rather close together, as the 

 blanched sprouts should be cut before they get very large, or when they are 

 four inches to six inches long; they are then crisp and tender. TlieN do not 

 require much water, provided the material around the roots is moist. 



A mushroomhouse is the best place for forcing Sea Kale, but before being, 

 put into it the plants might be acclimatized for a few days in a cool greenhouse 

 This can be done with very little trouble by providing boxes deep enough and of a 

 size to be handled easily, and placing the crowns in them, so that they need not 

 be disturbed again. Renio\e them to the mushroomhouse as they show signs of 

 growth. While this may involve a little extra labor, the growths will be stronger. 



Toward Spring tender blanched sprouts may be had from the beds outside, 

 without lifting, with the aid of Sea Kale pots or large drain pipes, and fresh stable 

 manure placed around them. This method brings them in considerably ahead of 

 their natural season. 



Chicory can be forced in the same way as Sea Kale. The French probably 

 use more Chicory for salads than any other \ egetable. A nati\e, also, ol lingiand, 

 it may be brought into growth with a comparatively low temperature. It is 

 cultivated in the same way as Endive; in fact, Witloof, which is the best for 

 forcing, is often called French Endive. 



The seed should be sown late in the Spring, in drills eighteen inches apart, 

 and w hen large enough, thin to about eight inches in the rows. This is preferable 

 to transplanting as they produce long, tapering roots. Before sowing, the soil 

 should be cultivated deep. It should be fairly rich, but without containing new- 

 manure. The best time to apply the manure is the Fall, when most of the leaves 

 die down. Dig the roots up carefully before hard freezing sets in and store them 

 in a cool place. Two or three weeks before the blanched roots are wanted, put 

 a batch in the mushroomhouse, or some other dark place where a temperature 

 of about 50" can be maintained. 



The roots should be planted in some light material, with just enough moisture 

 to start the fibers into motion. Ha\e the crowns projecting about one-half 



