(vlO THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. [Jan. 



FORCING SEA-KALE. 



Few vegetables are improved more by cultivation than the 

 sea-kale, and few are more improved by forcing. In its culti- 

 vated state, it is found to be in April and May, far superior to 

 w hat it is in its natural habitats ; but, when forced at mid-win- 

 ter, it is superior to any other vegetable with which we are yet 

 acquainted. Possessing such merits, it is not surprising that 

 many methods have been tried to bring it to perfection, and to 

 protract the season of it to the utmost possible extent. 



The most general way of forcing sea-kale is, by planting it 

 upon the beds or rows in which it grows in the natural ground ; 

 for which purpose, (the leaves and stems of the plants being 

 trimmed,) the surface of the beds or rows is forked up care- 

 fully, so as not to injure the roots ; the whole is then covered 

 with finely sifted coal-ashes, over each plant is then placed a 

 large flower-pot inverted, with the holes stopped to prevent 

 the admission of steam, or regular blanching-pots are placed 

 over them in the same manner ; previous to this, there should 

 be a quantity of dung or leaves put up to ferment, and which, 

 after being turned over once or twice, are fit for use. These 

 ])ots are to be covered with this dung or leaves to the thick- 

 ness of a foot or eighteen inches, according to the state of the 

 weather and quality of the dung. While the operation o. 

 covering the pots is going on, beat the dung regularly down, 

 as it is laid up, to make the whole as compact as can be ; when 

 finished, it should have a ridge-like appearance, for the better 

 throwing off the rain or melting snow. Great care must be 

 taken not to make this ridge too large, so as to produce a 

 superabundance of heat ; this must be carefully guarded against, 

 for it is better that the temperature be too low, than too high, 

 during the whole process. In the first case, no harm can 

 ensue to the crop, only that it will not come into use so soon ; 

 but the latter may be attended with much danger to the plants, 

 and will always produce them weak and ill-flavored. The 

 pots should be so placed, that a portion of the coal-ashes may 

 be gathered round the base of them, to prevent the entrance 

 of steam, which would destroy the crop if admitted in any 

 quantity. The heat during the whole process of forcing should 



