128 PICTOEIAL FBACTICAL VEGETABLE GROWIXG. 



steady temperature of 45*^ to 55° maintained there is soon a supply 

 of sticks. 



A young plantation of .Rhubarb should not be pulled from too 

 soon. At least a year should elapse before the produce is used. 



The number of varieties is not so great, fortunately, as is the case 

 with some vegetables, and it increases but slowly. The old varieties, 

 such as Early Albert, Johnston's St. ]\rartin's, Myatt's Linuceus and 

 Victoria, still have tlieir following. The first and last are fine sorts, 

 and if supplemented by Daw"s Champion or Hawke's Champagne 

 for early work, will give all that is necessary ; indeeih Champagne 

 for an early, and Victoria for a late, would meet the wants of most 

 people. 



Cbapter 25.— SealcaU. 



Seakale is looked upon by most people rather as an expensive 

 luxury than an everyday vegetable, and so it is— for the man in a 

 hurry. For the man who is not impelled by a feverish e;igerness to 

 liave produce on his table half an hour after he has bought the seeds 

 or plants it is not an expensive crop at all. 



Strong forcing crowns of Seakale— crowns 8 or 9 inches long, and 

 the better part of 2 inches through — are, of course, dear, but it is the 

 greatest mistake in the world to conclude that Seakale can only be 

 enjoyed by buying such things as these. 



The simplest and cheapest way to start is to buy seed, which is 

 cheap enough for anybody. The seed is contained in a husiv, which, 

 may l^e l^roken prior to sowing. A drill may be drawn from 1 inch 

 to 2 inches deep in well-worked soil in spring, and the seed scattered 

 thinly in. Transplant the resulting ]')lants 18 inches by 2 feet apart 

 a year afterwards, providing a rich, thoroughly pulverised soil, and 

 have no doubt about strong crowns developing. They may be ready 

 by the second autumn ; they are sure to be by the third. 



When once a stock is secured, it is the easiest thing in the world 

 to maintain it. Lift the crowns in autumn, as soon as the leaves 

 break away from them under slight pressure, which will probably be 

 in November. There should be a straight growth G to 9 inches long 

 and 1 to 2 inches thick (this is the forcing crown), and a number of 

 smaller pieces, 2 to 5 inches long and as thick as a cigarette at the 

 base. All of the latter may be cut away close to the parent root. 

 It is the custom to cut one end straight across, and the other 



