WINTER GREENS AND SOIL MOISTURE Gl 



stem, surrounded with leaves similar to those of the 

 kale plant. Both stems and leaves are very nutritious. 

 There are two varieties of marrow-stem kale, the green 

 and the purple leaf. If there is any difference, the 

 former seems to be more vigorous in growth than the 

 latter. 



The outstanding feature of this crop is its drought- 

 resisting properties. Hence preference should be given 

 to it in districts with an annual rainfall of, say, less than 

 25 inches, or where the rainfall is even heavier, but the 

 soil porous. At the same time it should be understood 

 that in districts of heavy rainfall and heavy soil, 

 marrow-stem kale grows most luxuriantly. 



In its early stage, unlike hardy green turnips and 

 giant rape, the growth of marrow-stem kale is not very 

 vigorous, and hence it has not the same capacity for 

 smothering weeds. Therefore it would appear to be 

 more suited to grow in rows, to permit of horse hoeing, 

 than for broadcasting. On this question,. however, I 

 shall have something to say later. 



Marrow-stem kale is not as soon ready for con- 

 sumption after sowing as giant rape. If both are sown, 

 say, at the end of June, the rape is ready for cutting 

 by the first of October, whereas the marrow-stem kale 

 may not be ready until December, or even the following 

 February. If, therefore, the crop is required for autumn 

 or early winter consumption, it should be sown earlier 

 than June. It can be sown as early as March, not, of 

 course, after a tare crop, which would not be off the 

 land in time, but as a main crop, in much the same 

 way as ordinary cabbages. When sown, say, in March 

 or April, the crop will be ready for use in late August 

 or early September. It may then be either grazed or 

 cut, and, if the land is rich or well manured, will give a 

 second very useful crop in late March or early April. 



