66 CULTURE OF SEAKALE 



large as a good-sized cedar pencil under soil of any 

 kind. In times past I have planted seedlings closer than 

 I recommend, and I have had reason to reproach myself 

 for so doing, for the seakale makes such rapid growth, 

 and produces such large stout leaves, that it is necessary 

 to give ample room for development from the start. 



The old gardeners, I remember, used to place their 

 plants in a triangular position about nine inches apart, 

 three plants to form a clump, with the natural result 

 that each helped to 6 6 beggar its neighbour." One has 

 but to watch the plants as they develop in order to 

 realise how matters stood under that treatment. The 

 crowding of the small side buds causes the production 

 of small leaves, and wherever small leaves are there are 

 weak buds under. According to the strength of the 

 leaf, so usually is the bud at the axil of the leaf. 



We have two distinct varieties of seakale : the old 

 one, known for ages, and the lily white, introduced 

 probably about twenty years ago. I think the old kind 

 the stouter grower, and when well balanced perhaps 

 the best, the principal point against it being that if the 

 tips are once allowed to start with a purple tint, no 

 forcing or keeping in the dark will obliterate it, which 

 is against it when brought to table. On the other hand 

 lily white has no colour whatever, so that if in starting 

 the growth commences in the light, the colour is not 

 materially impaired, yet all good-flavoured kale must be 

 grown in the dark. 



It would appear that these two maritime plants, aspar- 

 agus and seakale, are not so easily persuaded to alter 

 their primitive and unique identity as are so many other 

 members of the vegetable kingdom. I cannot say if this 

 be why they are not better understood. That they are 

 so little understood and appreciated is more the fault of 

 the people than the plants, for few plants respond to 

 good treatment as do these. Seakale is so extremely 



