298 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



rich white appearance, and a honeyed smell. It has 

 probably been cultivated in gardens one hundred and 

 fifty years, but not very generally until the beginning of 

 the present century, though the English peasantry have 

 been in the habit of gather- 

 ing the blanched shoots as 

 they pushed through the 

 sand, and boiling them as 

 greens, from time immemo- 

 rial. Though a native of a 

 cool climate, it succeeds 

 perfectly in middle Georgia. 



Culture. — The native soil 

 of sea kale is a deep sand, 

 mingled with matter from 

 the sea. It likes a deep 

 mould, or sandy loam, and if 

 poor, well-putrified dung 

 and half-decayed leaves may 

 be added. Upon the richness 

 and proper preparation of 

 the soil the luxuriance of the 

 plant depends. The situation 

 must be free from all shade 

 of trees. Sea kale is propa- 

 gated by seeds, or offsets, or 

 cuttings of the root ; but the 

 best plants are raised from 

 seed. Sow the seed in a well- 

 prepared soil, rich, or made 

 so with well-decomposed manure, and shaded by a fence, 

 or building, from the midday sun. Draw the drills one 

 foot apart, and scatter the seed thinly along the drills. 

 The beds should be about four feet wide, for convenience. 

 Sow very early in spring. If the outer coat of the seed 

 be bruised, not injuring the latter, the germination will 



Fi£. 75. — SEA KALE. 



