By Mr, Jo h n M a u B R . 



19 



the most rotten into the alleys, and add another inch in depth 

 of fresh loam and sand. Abstain from cutting this year, 

 though some of the plants will probably rise very strong, 

 treating the beds the succeeding winter exactly as before. 



The third season, a little before the plants begin to stir, 

 rake off the winter covering, laying on an inch in depth 

 of pure dry sand, or fine gravel. Then cover each parcel with 

 one of the blanching pots, pressing it very firmly into the. 

 ground, so as to exclude all light and air ; for the colour and 

 flavour of the vegetable is greatly injured by being exposed 

 to either. If the beds are twenty-six feet long, and four 

 wide, they will hold twenty-four blanching pots, with three 

 plants under each, making seventy-two plants in a bed. Exa- 

 mine them from time to time, cutting the young stems, when 

 about three inches above ground, carefully, so as not to 

 injure any of the remaining buds below, some of which will 

 immediately begin to swell ; in this method, a succession of 

 gatherings may be continued for the space of six weeks, after 

 which period the plants should be uncovered, and their leaves 

 suffered to grow, that they may acquire and return nutriment 

 to the root for the next year's buds. The flowers, when seeds 

 are not wanted, ought to be nipped off with the finger 

 and thumb, when they appear. If a gentleman does not 

 choose to be at the expence of the blanching pots, the beds 

 must be covered with a larger portion of loose gravel, and 

 mats ; but the time and trouble of taking away the gravel 

 from about the plants, to cut the crop, and replacing it, is 

 so great, that there is no real economy in it. In this way Sea 

 Kale has been cut in Mr. Beale's garden, which measured 

 ten, eleven, and even twelve inches in circumference, and 



