SEA-KALE. 289 



to be done by first removing a part of the earth 

 and leaves round the head of the plant. Cut such 

 as are intended for use close to the crown, with 

 part of it adhering, taking care not to disturb the 

 young shoots that appear round it. The crowns 

 are afterwards to be covered the same as at first, 

 the pots replaced, and the covering put on ; and if 

 any of the latter be observed to be much decayed, it 

 should be taken away and replaced with good hot 

 dung. By this means a regular heat will be con- 

 tinued ; the plants will remain in a vigorous state 

 of growth for six weeks from the first cutting, by 

 which time they generally have done their best ; 

 the pots may then be taken away ; the covering, 

 however, must be removed gradually, as the root 

 and crown, by being forced, would probably be 

 injured by the severity of the weather, were the 

 entire covering taken away at once. 



When the plants are finally cleared of their 

 covering, and the sand or earth laid round the 

 crowns levelled, two or three inches of good manure 

 should be put on the bed, which, after being forked 

 in, will strengthen the plants for a vigorous growth 

 throughout the season, and they will be found, from 

 such a growth, in a high state for forcing any time 

 throughout the following winter. 



Thus far on the culture of sea-kale from sowing 

 the seed, the planting and the most general and 

 successful method of forcing one of oui most 

 valuable vegetables, forming as it does a most salu- 

 brious luxury throughout the winter; a luxury 

 unknown to our forefathers, though the plant is 

 indigenous in this country, 

 u 



