SEA-KALE. 287 



After the strongest plants are taken out of the 

 seed-bed for the purposes above mentioned, a few 

 score, if as many remain of the seedlings, may be 

 planted out in a bed about six inches apart, where 

 they will be ready (after one or two years' growth) 

 to be taken up for the different uses hereafter men- 

 tioned. Should the weather be dry at the time of 

 planting, a little water may be given, which, if re- 

 peated at times the following season, and frequently 

 stirring the earth round the plants, observing to 

 cut down such as are going to seed, will cause the 

 plants to be in a high state of growth for any use 

 required, and particularly for forcing under pots, 

 which is the most general and successful method to 

 bring the above salubrious vegetable to perfection 

 either before or after Christmas. The following 

 process, if strictly adhered to, will answer the pur- 

 pose. 



When the number of crowns or roots are deter- 

 mined, they should be cleared of all decayed leaves, 

 or whatever is growing near them. The bed must 

 have about an inch of well-consumed manure laid 

 on it, and lightly forked in, which will strengthen 

 the plants, and accelerate their growth. After the 

 ground is levelled, the crowns are to be covered 

 about three inches thick with some light sandy soil, 

 none being sweeter or better than such as may be 

 had from the bottom of a running stream or brook ; 

 but by no means use coal ashes, for these, of all 

 others, should be prevented from coming in con- 

 tact with the blanching of sea-kale, as the recep- 

 tacle whence the material is taken is not in general 

 the most agreeable part of the premises ; besides, 



