BORECOLES 51 



the ground, so much finer are the heads produced. 

 Their season is from October until May, and there 

 should be two sowings, one for an autumn supply, 

 and the other for a late winter, as if the seed is sown 

 too early, the plant is inclined to run to seed when 

 kept to meet a late supply. When a sowing is made 

 in March, and again after an interval of six weeks, 

 there will be a good early and late supply, but much 

 depends upon the seed bed. Much vigour is lost 

 through overcrowding ; indeed, it is far better to 

 sow late than too early and let the plants remain so 

 long in a crowded bed that they fight for supremacy, 

 until it becomes a question of the survival of the 

 fittest. When seedlings " brought up " in this way 

 are planted, several weeks elapse before the roots take 

 hold of the soil. In cold late districts the Kales are 

 sometimes treated like Spring Cabbage, that is, sown 

 in the late summer, and planted out in October or 

 November. A large plant is obtained in this way, 

 but it runs to seed quickly next season, so that it is 

 far better to sow early in March and plant out in 

 drills when ready. As the land is frequently occupied, 

 and the seedlings cannot be planted for a time, it is a 

 good plan to prick them out in lines, and then lift them 

 carefully later on into their permanent quarters. A 

 fair distance for most of the Kales is two feet between 

 the rows, and eighteen inches to two feet in the row, 

 according to the variety, the larger types requiring, 

 of course, more space. Plant in showery weather if 

 possible, and the remarks made as to pricking out the 



