LEADING VEGETABLE CROPS l6S 



of the cabbage group. Cultivation of kale commer- 

 cially is confined almost entirely to those regions 

 where soil conditions are found ideal and close to 

 bodies of water. These conditions are better met in 

 the Norfolk and Long Island regions than in most 

 others, and from these sections come practically 

 all of the kale of commerce. 



The soil and cultural requirements are similar 

 to those required by the cabbage. Heavy fertilizing, 

 both with stable manures and commercial fertilizer, 

 will necessarily give the best results. Frequent 

 applications of nitrate of soda during the growing 

 season prove very beneficial. 



Planting should be done in drills sufficiently wide 

 to permit of horse cultivation, and the plants should 

 be thinned from eight to I2 inches apart, depending 

 upon varieties grown. Seeding should be done suf- 

 ficiently early in the season to permit the plants to 

 become well grown before winter comes on. Freez- 

 ing improves the quality. It may be cut for market 

 at various intervals or the entire field harvested at 

 one time. It is usually packed for shipment in ven- 

 tilated barrels or hampers. 



Kale is a profitable crop in those districts adapted 

 to it, but the demand is somewhat limited and the 

 markets are easily overstocked. This plant de- 

 serves a wider trial in the ordinary home gardens, 

 but little can be expected of it during extremely dry 

 and hot seasons, except with irrigation. 



The common cabbage insects and diseases are fre- 

 quently found attacking the kale, but usually are not 

 so troublesome as upon the cabbage. 



The Scotch kales are more popular in the kale- 

 growing districts of this country, Dwarf Green 

 being the favorite variety. Other varieties some- 



