124 



THE AMERICAN GARDENER. [Chap. 



ness ; and, though of the easiest possible propaga- 

 tion and cultivation, I have never seen any of it in 

 America. — It is propagated by seed, and also by 

 offsets. The seeds may be sown, or the young 

 plants (at a year old) planted, or the offsets (for lit- 

 tle shoots from the sides of the stems) planted, on 

 the spot where the crop is to be produced. — The 

 mode of cultivation is in beds, precisely the same 

 in all respects as Asparagus ; except, that the Cale 

 may be begun upon the second year. Cover the 

 beds thick w^ith litter in winter ; so that the frost 

 may not enter very deep; and, in April (Long 

 Island) you will have plenty. — The moment ii peeps 

 out, cut it, and you have a white stalk seven or eight 

 inches long, which is cooked just as asparagus is, 

 and is ail eaten from top to bottom. This plant is 

 a native of the sea beach ; and is as hardy as any 

 weed that grows. Instead of earth, you may, if 

 convenient, lay sand (and especially sea sand) for 

 it to shoot up through. It may be moved at any 

 age of the plant. Any old stump of it will grow. 

 After you leave off cutting it in the spring, it goes 

 shooting on, and, during the summer it bears seed. 

 In the fall the stalks are cut down, and you proceed 

 with the beds as with those of Asparagus. — Two 

 beds across any one of the plats are enough for any 

 family. — This is, unquestionably, (after the Aspara- 

 gus,) the very best garden vegetable that grows. 

 Sea Cale may be had at any time in w^inter, as easily 

 as Asparagus (w^hich see,) and wdth less care. The 

 roots may be dug up in the fall and thrown under 

 any shed with litter, or straw, over them, till you 

 want them. The earth in the hot-bed must be deeper 

 than for Asparagus : that is all the difference. — 

 The seed is saved as easily as that of Asparagus, 

 205. CAMOMILE is a medicinal herb of great 



