348 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



the remainder of the crop as early in the spring as the 

 roots can be dug. When stored, precautions should be 

 taken to prevent the roots from shriveling and drying out. 



474. Yields. — The reports on yields and returns vary 

 considerably. Peter Henderson regarded five tons an 

 acre a good average yield, although many growers do 

 not succeed so well. Professor L. H. Bailey states that 

 yields vary from 2 to 4 tons to the acre. 



KALE OR BORECOLE (Brassica oleracea acephala) 



475. History and importance. — Kale is grown exten- 

 sively near Norfolk, Va., and to some extent on Long 

 Island. Market gardeners occasionally grow small quan- 

 tities, and sometimes it is seen in home gardens. It is a 

 member of the cabbage family, used mainly in fall and 

 spring as greens. The low, curled varieties are highly 

 ornamental and are valued for garnishing and bedding. 



476. Varieties dififer greatly in form, size of plants and 

 in character of foliage. The low sorts are hardier than 

 the tall kinds, although all varieties winter without diffi- 

 culty in southern sections and sometimes in the milder 

 parts of the North. The most prominent varieties are 

 Imperial Long Standir(g, Dwarf German, Dwarf Curled 

 Scotch and Fall Green Curled Scotch. 



477. Soil. — Any soil well adapted to cabbage will, with 

 proper management, produce good kale. 



478. Fertilizing. — Stable manures are most valuable 

 for this crop, but high-grade fertilizers are also employed 

 to advantage. Nitrate of soda is especially efifective in 

 encouraging a rapid, vigorous growth. It requires the 

 same general treatment as cabbage. 



479. Planting. — Sowings should be made early enough 

 in the summer for the plants to attain full size before 

 cold weather. In the Norfolk region the plantings are 

 made from the latter part of June until the middle of 



