MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES 371 
SEA KALE 
Sea kale is an important forcing crop in European 
countries. It is grown under glass to some extent in this 
country, and it would seem that the vegetable should 
have greater consideration by those who are endeavoring 
to diversify their operations. 
The plants are readily propagated from seed or roat 
cuttings. Root cuttings are preferred by some growers, 
but, for the production of crowns for forcing, seed is en- 
tirely satisfactory. Two seasons are required to grow 
the strongest forcing roots. The seed should be sown in 
rich soil as early in the spring as the ground can be 
worked. The drills should be about 2 feet apart and the 
plants thinned to stand at intervals of 6 to 8 inches. A 
vigorous growth should be encouraged. The following 
spring the plants should be transplanted 3 by 8 feet apart 
into soil of high fertility. 
Special feeding as provided by a manure mulch or 
dressings of nitrate of soda will be found beneficial. The 
seed stalks should be removed whenever they appear. 
Any house which provides suitable temperatures for 
lettuce will meet the requirements of sea kale. The 
plants may be forced under greenhouse benches, in mush- 
room houses and other inexpensive structures, such as 
were described on page 195 for the forcing of rhubarb. 
The crowns are set as close together as possible, in the 
dark if desired, with fine soil filling all spaces between the 
roots. Sufficient water is applied to keep the soit moist. 
The crisp, tender leaves are picked whenever they attain 
a length of 4 to 6 inches. When the plants are lifted in 
the field at the end of the second season, the crown buds 
should be cut out to prevent the plants from producing 
seed. 
