314 On the Varieties of Winter Greens. 



appearance round the stem; the large leaves also have a 

 drooping appearance, and are more numerous, and the side- 

 shoots are not inclined to run fast to flower. It is unques- 

 tionably of a very hardy nature ; for I have not observed it 

 the least injured this winter, whilst the heads of some of 

 the Scotch Kale have been a little damaged. It grows 

 tall, and this disposition ought to be encouraged by early 

 planting, for the supply of shoots is nearly in proportion to 

 the length of the stem. In taste it is the same as the Scotch 

 Kale, being rich and sweet, when mellowed by frost, but has 

 something of a bitter flavour, if dressed early in the season. 



The Thousand-headed Cabbage, which has been much ex- 

 tolled as an article in agriculture, may be also considered as 

 belonging to the garden. I notice it chiefly because I know 

 from experience, that it will withstand the severest frost, and 

 will survive and be useful, when every other vegetable of the 

 Cabbage tribe has been destroyed. In flavour it is inferior 

 to all the other winter greens, neither possessing much sweet- 

 ness nor richness ; therefore, in private small gardens, only 

 sufficient of it should be planted to secure a supply for the 

 table in case of an extraordinary severe winter, or a de- 

 structive frost ; but where great abundance of greens is re- 

 quired, or where large markets are to be supplied, a more 

 extensive culture of it may be advisable, for its produce is 

 very great indeed. It grows to the height of four feet and 

 upwards, sending out from its main stem branches in the 

 manner of a tree ; from the ends and sides of these branches 

 proceed shoots, which appear as if actually in growth, the 

 whole winter. The leaves are of a pale green, very nume- 

 rous, tongue-shaped, and entire, being narrower than those 



