Gardening for Amateurs 



1051 



Seakale. Mar- 

 ket growers pay 

 a considerable 

 amount of atten- 

 tion to this crop 

 in some localities. 

 There is a demand 

 for strong forcing 

 roots quite apart 

 from the blanched 

 tops, and it is a 

 question whether 

 root - growing in 

 suitable land is 

 not more profit- 

 able than pro- 

 ducing the edible 

 portion for mar- 

 ket. Plants are 

 produced from 

 seed and also from 

 the roots. Por- 

 tions of the latter 

 of the thickness 

 of one's finger and 

 3 or 4 inches in 

 length are planted 

 out in February 

 and March. Thin 

 the growths which 

 appear on the tops 

 of the roots to 

 one, so that only 

 a single strong 

 crown is produced. 

 Keep the plants 

 hoed and apply 

 one or two slight 

 dressings of salt. 

 If the land has 

 been well pre- 

 pared, strong 

 roots will be ready 



for forcing in autumn. These snou^d oe 

 lifted with care (the thong-like roots being 

 removed) and stored in readiness for plant- 

 ing in spring. If the crop is to be cut 

 where grown, leave the plants and cover the 

 rows as growth commences by ridging up 

 the soil over them or by covering with fine 

 ashes. Pots or boxes can be used, but 

 these add to the expense. A warm cellar 

 will force the tops quite well, and so will a 



Marrowfat Pea. 



heap of manure and leaves. The roots for 

 this purpose should be packed rather closely 

 together in large pots or boxes with a little 

 soil, and be well watered as required. It 

 should be remembered that absolute dark- 

 ness is essential if quite white stems are to 

 be produced. Seakale from the open may 

 make in the market anything from 2|d. to 

 5d. per pound. That forced early in the 

 year may realise Is. per pound. Much 



