SEAKALE 117 



Large growers adopt quite a different system, but 

 this is to get quantities of Seakale at one time. Wide 

 deep trenches are cleared out, and the roots placed in 

 the soil rather close together, many hundreds being in 

 one trench. To get quick results hot manure is some- 

 times placed under the roots, but this is not a common 

 practice ; the usual way is after the roots are placed 

 in position to put framework over them, then mats, 

 and over all large heaps of fresh manure, not only on 

 the top but round the sides. No moisture is given. 

 The Seakale soon starts into growth, and large quanti- 

 ties are cut at one time. 



Late Seakale. This is the simplest phase of Seakale 

 culture ; the plants are not forced but only retarded, 

 as the desire should be to get as late a growth as pos- 

 sible. Grow them in rows three feet apart with half 

 that distance between plants in the row. Young plants 

 are preferable, namely, not more than three years old, 

 when they are cleared away, as it is advisable to make 

 a new quarter yearly. Seakale may be raised from 

 seed or cuttings. To plant new quarters the land 

 should be trenched with a liberal quantity of manure, 

 and the soil should be loamy. Seakale likes a good 

 firm soil. In February cover the crowns with fine 

 ashes to keep away slugs, snails and worms. Then 

 bank up the crowns quite two feet high, and as 

 wide as possible, as unless there is plenty of soil over 

 the roots the growths soon find their way out at the 

 sides and turn green, when they are of little use ; 

 indeed, in some soils three feet is insufficient. Kale 



