292 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



KALES AT WISLEY, 1906-07. 



Fifty-four stocks of kale were received for trial, all of which germinated 

 freely, and, when large enough, were planted out on deeply dug, well- 

 manured land, at a distance of 3 feet apart each way. In spite of the 

 dry summer of 190G all the stocks made splendid growth, completely 

 covering the ground, and were admired by every one who saw them for 

 their fine, robust, healthy appearance. On September 25, 1906, the 

 thermometer marked 37°, and from that date certain types, such as Buda 

 and Asparagus kales, collapsed, decay setting in, and by the end of the 

 year all of these types were dead, while others of a different character 

 were uninjured. On cutting the dead or dying stems through, a great 

 number were found to be affected by Pseudomonas camjiestris, a bacillus 

 which is said to attack all the Brassica family. Whether the death of 

 the kales was caused by frost or fungus is a difficult question for future 

 research, but the great value of the trial consisted in showing which 

 varieties withstood frost and fungoid attacks and which did not, and were 

 consequently of much less service to the gardener or the market grower, 

 who requires supplies of vegetables in the spring. 



F.C.C. = First-class Certificate. 

 A.M. = Award of Merit. 



1. Al (Sutton). — Height 2J feet ; sturdy ; well curled ; green ; stood 

 frost well. A fine true stock of the Scotch type. 



2. Arctic Curled (Sutton). — Height 1 foot ; sturdy, compact, green ; 

 beautifully curled; uninjured by frost; excellent true stock. May be 

 planted 18 inches apart. 



3. 4. Asparagus (J. Veitch, Barr). — All killed. 



5. Buda (Barr).— All killed. 



6. Brydon's Tall Green Curled (Kent & Brydon). — Same as No. 50. 



7. Chou de Milan (Carter). — Height 18 to 20 inches ; sturdy ; green ; 

 foliage broad and bluntly serrated ; not injured by frost and stood well; 

 true stock. In the spring a mass of tender sprouts are produced. 



8. Chou de Russie, F.C.C. March 19, 1907 (Carter).— Height about 

 20 inches ; very sturdy ; foliage a pale green ; much cut and divided, and 

 serraced at the margins ; centre of the plant full, and may be termed 

 ' hearting.' Withstood the winter without the slightest injury, and in 

 the spring months produced a great mass of tender and delicious sprouts ; 

 a valuable hardy kale. This is not a new variety, and has long been 

 known as Russian kale, but for some reason or other it has not become 

 much known or grown. 



9. 10, 11. Cottager's Kale, A.M. March 8, 1907 (J. Veitch, Carter, 

 Barr). — Height about 3 feet ; sturdy ; foliage green, tinged with purple, 

 and slightly curled. A very hardy and prolific variety, that stood the 

 winter without injury. 



