CATCH CROPS 67 



SEAKALE 



This succulent vegetable is held in great esteem by many 

 people, and is as simple to grow as rhubarb. It is a very 

 satisfactory subject for forcing. It is another of those roots 

 the grower must raise for himself, otherwise his profits would 

 be problematical. It is easily raised from cuttings which are 

 made from sections of the roots cut about 4 inches long, cut 

 level at the top and with a long slant at the bottom. These 

 are made in the autumn, heeled in during the winter in boxes 

 of earth or sand, and upon starting in the spring are put into 

 nursery rows, a simple and inexpensive operation. 



At two or three years old they are large enough for forcing, 

 when they are lifted, shortened to about I foot, and put in deep 

 pots or boxes, the crowns being about level with the soil. When 

 brought into heat the light is kept from them by the use of 

 inverted pots or boxes, or as an alternative, a thick layer of 

 ashes. It may be had ready for sale in November, the sale for 

 it then being slow, but as soon as Brussels sprouts are gone, 

 or when frost has put a stop to other greenstuff, then the demand 

 for, and the price of, seakale soars. 



Because it is so easy of propagation we scarcely think it 

 worth our while to save the old roots, but others may find them 

 useful for permanently planting, where in time they will yield a 

 plentiful crop of " sticks " in the open ground if covered in the 

 usual way. 



POTATOES 



As we suggested earlier, potatoes can be grown in vineries 

 planted on the borders, but this is not to be recommended. We 

 therefore bar that method of growing them. But we can, 

 from satisfactory practical experience, advocate their culture in 

 pots and in boxes and in warm pits. The pots or boxes must 

 be not far removed from the glass, so we have grown ours on 

 shelves especially rigged up. 



If it is expected to lift ij Ib. or 2 Ib. from each plant (and 

 nothing less pays) they must not be forced too quickly, and 

 the temperature should be about 55, except the natural rise 

 caused by the sun, which will sometimes be at 70. 



