Callage. Kale 



79 



men and specialists than to attempt to grow it. Stored 

 cabbages, with stump and roots intact, are planted in fur- 

 rows in spring, the head being cut deep (usually cross- 

 wise) to allow the flower- shoots to come through. The 

 stumps themselves, with head removed, often throw up 

 flowering tops. The flowers mature rapidly, and seed is 

 ripe in early summer. 



KALE OR BORECOLE; COI^LARDS 

 As com/pared iviili callage, Icale requires less exacting 

 care, is liardier, and the seed is lisually sown luhere the 

 plants are to mature. Kale is groivn for its large leaves. 

 It is raised mostly as a spring crop, seeds leing soivn the 

 previous autumn; or as an autumn crop, seeds leing sown 

 in spring. 



Plants usually are thinned to stand a foot or two in the 

 row if very large plants are desired for the yield of individual 

 leaves; or if the whole plant is to be gathered at once, the 

 distances may be as close as 6 to 12 inches. The rows in gar- 

 dens raay be 2 feet apart; in large plantations they may be 

 somewhat farther to allow of horse tillage. The yield to the 

 acre in commercial plantations is 200 to 300 barrels, with 250 

 to 300 barrels perhaps an average fair crop. 



Kale is affected by the insects attacking cabbage, particu- 

 larly by aphis, and often by harlequin cabbage bug. 



Kale may be likened to a cabbage plant that produces no 

 head. In fact, it is a form of the cabbage species that 

 is very near the original type. Greens from kale are prized 

 in the market only very late or early in the season when 

 many other kinds cannot be had in quantity. Small tender 

 plants are best for eating, but leaves are often taken at 

 intervals from older plants. This crop is much prized in 

 England; the cool mild climate is well adapted to it. 



