VEGETABLES. 201 



THE BOKECOLE OE KALE. 



The Kale is a winter . vegetable of much importance, espe- 

 cially in the northern parts of the kingdom. There are many 

 varieties of the dwarf curled, each grower selecting and naming 

 his own strain, which is the best way to ensure its being kept 

 true. The cultivation of Borecole is extremely simple ; it only 

 requires a rich soil and plenty of room. Seed should be sown 

 in a frame in the beginning of March for an early supply, but 

 for autumn and winter a sowing should be made on a sheltered 

 border in the middle of March, and the seedlings thinned early 

 to prevent the plants being drawn. As soon as the plants 

 are four inches high, plant out two feet apart each way. Water 

 in extra dry weather, giving weak liquid manure occasionally 

 to increase the size of the head. The plants should be cut 

 clean across below the leaves, and the stems stuck in pots 

 amongst wet sand for exhibition. The points of merit are : 

 (1.) Size of head and number of leaves, the older ones slightly 

 arching; and (2.) the leaves dark or light green, succulent, 

 and densely curled. 



THE BEOCCOLL 



The many varieties, both early and late, of this fine vege- 

 table furnish a long succession of heads for autumn, winter, 

 and spring exhibitions. To provide a supply for each of these 

 periods, seeds of Walcheren and Veitch's Self -Protecting 

 should be sown thinly in April to produce heads for the 

 autumn ; Backhouse's Winter and Snow's Superb for winter, 

 and Niddrie Protecting and Veitch's Model for spring and 

 early summer ; sowing these at intervals of two weeks from 

 the middle of April till the end of May. After the plants 

 are large enough to handle, they should be pricked out four 

 inches apart on a bed of fine soil and leaf-mould until they 

 are large enough to be finally planted out. 



Broccoli thrives best in a rich loam, which should be deeply 

 dug and well trodden to firm it. Previous to planting, a dress- 

 ing of salt and soot should be pointed into the surface for the 

 destruction of maggot and other pests. 



