932 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



atmosphere should also be maintained ; in fact, the conditions 

 as to heat and moisture requisite for Mushrooms will suit the 

 Seakale admirably. If the first batch of crowns is put in 

 heat early in November, and afterwards at intervals of three 

 weeks up to the end of March, a constant supply of this 

 delicious vegetable will be produced from Christmas to the 

 middle of April. 



Where there are no means of forcing Seakale in heated 

 structures, very fine heads of beautifully white and tender growth 

 may be obtained by means of Seakale pans or inverted boxes 

 with movable tops to allow of examining the plants. These 

 boxes or pans are placed over the roots as they stand on the 

 ground, and the space between filled up with strawy manure to 

 the depth of 4(1. or so, treading the same fairly firm, and well 

 covering the boxes or pans at the same time with the manure. 

 In a few days a strong heat will be generated thai will quickly 

 force the crowns into growth. When inspecting the boxes or 

 pans to see if the Seakale is ready for use, special care should 

 be taken to cover them up again properly, or the heat will escape 

 and be much later in affecting the Seakale's growth. The end of 

 January will be quite early enough to attempt this outside forcing, 

 and then the grower should avoid putting on the pans and 

 manure if the ground is frozen, as this makes a difference of at 

 least a fortnight in the Seakale becoming ready for use. After 

 the cutting is completed, all the strawy manure should be removed, 

 and the boxes, &c., stored away for future use ; the roots will 

 then make fresh growth that will be strong enough to force 

 again in two years without disturbance. 



Salads. 



The value of a daily supply of fresh salad all through the 

 winter months is well known, and with proper structures there 

 is not much difficulty in ensuring this. With a warm mushroom- 

 house or similar place, Endive, Chicory, Dandelion, &c., can 

 be forced in successional quantities equal to requirements, and 

 with the aid of Mustard and Cress sown in boxes in a warm 

 greenhouse or forcing-pits, and Radishes sown on hot-beds, a very 

 acceptable variety in the salad-bowl may be secured. A very good 

 practice is to sow Radishes, and occasionally Lettuce, on the 

 hot-beds made for forcing Potatoes ; if the Radish seed is sown 

 immediately the Potatoes are planted they will form nice little 

 "bulbs" before the Potatoes get much top, especially if the 

 olive-shaped or turnip-rooted sorts are selected, as these 

 types of Radish are earlier in maturing than the long-rooted 

 varieties. If Lettuce is sown on hot-beds of in boxes to get 

 an early supply, that little kind known as Early Paris Market is 

 one of the best, being a small, compact, Cabbage variety, 

 quickly developing into a useful size for use. Immediately the 



