650 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



autumn the plants intended to be 

 lifted for forcing should be taken up 

 and laid in some light soil. Open 

 a trench at one end of the plantation 

 and lift the plants, with as many 

 roots attached to them as possible. 

 After taking off the thongs for next 

 year's crop, lay the roots in some 

 light dry soil, covering their crowns 

 over with some dry litter to keep 

 frost from them. Thus a few roots 

 may be had during winter for forcing 

 when required. From 55° to 60° 

 will be heat enough, and the roots 

 may be planted either in large 

 flower-pots or boxes. If in pots, 

 invert another the same size over 

 the one in which the roots are 

 planted. Thus circumstanced and 

 placed in the temperature just 

 named, fine, crisp, well-blanched 

 Kale will be produced. If required 

 soon after being put in warmth, 

 place a few barrow-loads of hot 

 manure in the house, and on that 

 set the pots. The warmth induces 

 quick growth and superior heads. 

 If in boxes, they should be deep 

 enough for the roots to stand upright, 

 and there should be depth for the 

 Kale to grow to its full length before 

 it reaches the lid of the box. 



If more convenient, the roots may 

 be planted in light soil in the Mush- 

 room - house, covering them over 

 with some light material to keep the 

 crowns in darkness. Fine crops 

 may also be grown upon ordinary 

 hot-beds covered with frames and 

 wooden sashes ; if glass sashes are 

 used, they must be covered with 

 straw and double mats to exclude 

 light and keep the temperature of 

 the frames equable, i.e. about 60°. 

 The roots may be planted in light 

 soil or in pots placed upon the 

 heated material, which should be 

 covered with sifted ashes or some 

 light material to keep down the rank 

 5team. Where Kale is required in 



large quantities, a Cucumber or 

 Melon-house with bottom heat at 

 command will be found to be one of 

 the best structures in which to pro- 

 duce it. Put a few inches of soil 

 over the slates or boards forming 

 the bottom over the pipes or hot- 

 water tank ; in this set the roots 

 upright several inches apart, running 

 some soil in between them, and 

 water well, and as soon as the 

 crowns show signs of growth, give 

 another soaking, and cover them to 

 the depth of 9 in. or i ft. with dry, 

 sifted leaf-mould or cocoa-nut fibre. 

 Thus treated, in a very short time 

 the tips of the leaves will appear 

 above the covering, when the Kale 

 will be fit for use. 



When forced in the open air, Sea- 

 kale pots or boxes having wooden 

 covers must be placed over the 

 clumps of plants, and the pots or 

 boxes must be covered with fer- 

 menting material, consisting of hot 

 stable manure and leaves well mixed 

 together. Care must be taken that 

 the manure does not overheat, or the 

 crowns wall get scorched and the 

 crop lost for the season. When 

 planted in rows, if a covering of 

 ashes or light loose soil is placed 

 over the crowns from 9 in. to 1 ft. 

 in depth just before the crowns 

 start into growth in spring, the heads 

 of Kale will grow up through the 

 covering, and when uncovered the 

 result is often a very superior crop, 

 which, being late, is generally very 

 acceptable, especially if, after a 

 severe winter, other crops are 

 scarce. 



Sea -KALE ON THE COAST. — 



Between Calshot Castle and Leap, 

 Hampshire, Sea-kale grows wild 

 luxuriantly on the beach, just above 

 high-water mark, and those who live 

 close to the shore claim so much of 

 it as is opposite their domain. In 

 autumn, when the stems die down, 



