Special Nkeds 129 



The bed is set either with roots or young plants, 

 the former being the usual method. The ground 

 should first be made as deep and rich as possible. 

 If poor, dig out the rows, which should be four or 

 five feet apart, to a depth of two feet or more and 

 work in a foot of good manure, refilling with the 

 best of the soil excavated. Set the roots about four 

 feet apart in the row, the crowns being about four 

 inches below the surface. No stalks should be cut 

 the first season ; after that they will bear abundantly 

 many years. 



In starting from seed, sow in March in frames or 

 outside in April; when well along — about the first 

 of June — set out in rows, eighteen by twelve inches. 

 By the following April they will be ready for their 

 permanent position. 



Manuring in the fall, as with asparagus, to be 

 worked in in the spring, is necessary for good re- 

 sults. I know of no crop which so quickly responds 

 to liberal dressings of nitrate of soda, applied first 

 just as growth starts in in the spring. The seed 

 stalks should be broken off as fast as they appear, 

 until late in the season. 



Sea-Kale: — When better known in this country, 

 sea-kale will be given a place beside the asparagus 

 and rhubarb, for, like them, it may be used year after 

 year. Many believe it superior in quality to either 

 asparagus or cauliflower. 



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