18 



On the Cultivation of Sea Kale. 



afterwards to be covered with the blanching pots,* of which 

 a drawing is annexed, and both the health and beauty of 

 the crop depend upon their standing at equal distances. In 

 the months of May and June, if the seeds are sound, the 

 young plants will appear. When they have made three or 

 four leaves, take away all but three of the best plants from 

 each circle, planting out those you pull up (which by a care- 

 ful hand may be drawn with all their tap-root) in a spare 

 bed for extra-forcing, or to repair accidents. The turnip fly 

 and wireworm are great enemies to all the plants of the class 

 Tetradynamia. I know no remedy for the latter, but pick- 

 ing them out of the ground by hand ; the former may be 

 prevented from doing much damage, by a circle of quick 

 lime strewed round the young plants. If the months of June 

 and July prove dry, water the whole of the beds plentifully. 

 In the following November, as soon as the leaves are decayed, 

 clear them away, and cover the beds an inch thick with fresh 

 light earth and sand, that have laid in a heap and been turned 

 over at least three times the preceding summer; this, and 

 indeed all composts, should be kept scrupulously free from 

 weeds, many of which nourish insects, and the compost is too 

 often filled with their eggs and grubs. Upon this dressing of 

 sandy loam, throw about six inches in depth of light stable 

 litter, which finishes every thing to be done the first year. 



In the spring of the second year, when the plants are be- 

 ginning to push, rake off the stable litter, digging a little of 



* It appears to me, that for forcing, it would be a great improvement to make 

 the blanching pots in two pieces, the uppermost of which should fit like a cap 

 upon the lower ; the crop might then be examined at all periods without dis- 

 turbing the~hot dung. Secr. 



