216 ATIGETABLES. 



forced being inferior for exhibition to that from those estab- 

 lished outside, a few plants should be divided in March, and 

 the strongest crowns planted three feet apart in rows five feet 

 asunder, on a deeply-trenched, well-manured, warm border. 

 When the plants begin to grow, they should receive frequent 

 waterings with drainings from the stable or byre, well diluted. 

 No stalks should be taken from the plants during the summer, 

 that the whole strength and substance may be concentrated 

 for their future support. Square boxes, three feet wide at the 

 bottom and two feet at the top, should be put over the plants, 

 around which should be built a good thickness of stable litter 

 and leaves well mixed. A little light admitted at the top 

 during fine days improves the colour and texture of the stalks. 

 The points of merit are : (1.) Length and thickness of the stalks; 

 (2.) quality, firm, tender, and briskly acid ; and (3.) colour, 

 clear and bright. 



THE SAVOY. 



The Savoy is an excellent winter vegetable, which, like the 

 Brussels Sprout, is the better for a little touch of frost to make 

 it tender. Good varieties for exhibition are Early Ulm, Green 

 Curled, and Drumhead. When Savoys are wanted for autumn 

 seed should be sown under the same conditions as are recom- 

 mended for Brussels Sprouts, while the second sowing should be 

 made along with the Cabbage on an early border. The plants 

 should be afterwards treated in the same manner as Cabbage. 

 The points of merit are : (1.) Size and firmness of the head ; 

 (2.) solidity of the heart when cut ; and (3.) yellowish colour 

 of heart. 



THE SEAKALE. 



This important winter and spring vegetable thrives best in 

 light deep loam, and the best heads are reared from two-year 

 old plants. Seakale should be treated in the same manner as 

 Rhubarb, except that a little salt should be sprinkled round 

 the plants previous to watering, and blanching covers put over 

 the crowns instead of boxes. The growth of the shoots can be 

 advanced or retarded by the strength of heating material used. 

 The points of merit are: (1.) Size; (2.) compactness; and 

 (3.) quality, crisp, succulent, and perfectly blanched. 



