BORECOLE OR KALES 343 



allowed to get coarse for they soon lack colour. They 

 are at their best when used as large as a cricket ball. 

 The tap-rooted or long Beets will give a supply from 

 September to May when in a cool store just frost- 

 proof, but they need careful lifting as damage to the 

 roots results in bleeding and poor colour. They 

 are best lifted in early November and stored in 

 fine soil, sand or ashes, using plenty of these materials 

 between the roots to prevent shrivelling, as this 

 quickly affects the quality. The tops at lifting time 

 are twisted off, not cut with a knife, and large coarse 

 or divided roots should be put on one side as they 

 are not worth storage. Put them in an open shed 

 and use plenty of packing between. This is prefer- 

 able to a warm cellar as a little frost is far less 

 harmful than too much warmth. For market the 

 roots are often clamped and sent to market by the 

 tally or in bushel baskets. 



BORECOLE OR KALES. 



It is important to prevent the plants seeding in 

 spring, and to do this cut them over frequently after 

 cutting for the house begins. The best way is to use 

 the green varieties as soon as possible. Though they 

 keep some days in a cool place, when exposed too long 

 the flavour is impaired. They are easily packed to 

 send long distances and for market are placed in large 

 round baskets or crates. The smaller greens or later 

 cuttings do not find so ready a sale as the tops so 



