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HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY'S MAT EXHIBITION. 
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CULTUKE OF SEA-KALE. 
By Mk. J. MIDDLE3IISS, CiUDENER to A. POTT, Esa., Beniham Hael, neab Tonbridge "Wells. 
N general -sve do not find this much, esteemed and yaluahle winter vegetable grown to that state of 
excellence which it is capable of attaining ; nor is it cultivated to that extent to which one might 
expect to see it, when we consider the exotic-like deUciousness of a well-grown, well-blanched dish, 
served up a la Soyer. This, I believe, arises from a mistaken notion that a considerable extent of 
ground is necessary to indulge in, or rather to warrant the indulgence in this winter luxuiy — for such 
a good dish may be considered. An erroneous idea exists that it must grow two years previous to 
being forced. This 1 have stated is an erroneous idea, for it is equally a rotation crop with Peas, Brocoli, 
or, in fact, anything else. 
In the following remarks I shall state a method of growing it in something like perfection, in about 
nine months from the seed. 
It is not yet too late to begin, though it would have been better to have had the groimd prepai-ed 
in winter, and subjected to the influence of the frost, and the seed sown in the latter end of March, or 
the beginning of April. This, indeed, would have been absolutely necessary, if roots were wanted for 
very early work ; but for the present we must content ourselves with some Sea-kale next Christmas, 
and not forget to be in time next year. Now we will begin at once, and have our seed in if possible 
sometime this month. Select a piece of ground, open yet sheltered, in extent according to the supply 
required ; trench it thi'ee feet deep, using plenty of manure — at least a thii-d part should be mauui-e ; 
one half would be better — and this manui'e should be weU mixed with the soil in the coui'se of 
trenching. If it cannot be well incorporated with once trenching, trench it twice, remembering that 
" anj'thing that is worth doing is worth doing well," and that Sea-kale in particular delights in a deep, 
Ught, rich soil. 
As soon as the ground is ready, strike it out into four feet beds, and sow two rows of seed, in 
patches two feet apart. As soon as the plants are up, thin out to two or three ; and when fairly 
established, take all away but one. In the course of the season use abundant supphes of liquid 
manure, and keep the surface soil well stin-ed. Stirring the soil is of the greatest importance, 
whether the ci-op be Sea-kale, or any other, as it admits fi'om the atmosphere the elements of which 
plants are composed. By this treatment the beds will be covered by the autumn with beautiful 
healthy leaves, and nice plump crowns. Pick off the leaves as they decay ; and as soon as they are 
all off, the crowns should be sUghtly covered with ashes, or spent tanners' bark, till they are wanted 
for forcing, when they may be taken up, or forced where they stand. There are many different 
methods of forcing; but let us have some good plants, and we may speak of forcing matters by 
and by. 
The above method of growing Sea-kale has been practised by many old gardeners for years ; and, 
to my certain knowledge, by my father, with the greatest success, for the last quarter of a century ; 
so that it is not a new method — but it is a good one. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S MAY EXHIBITION. 
KJIHE second of the great metropolitan floral fetes took place on the 1 8th of May at Chiswick, under the 
iv auspices of the Horticultural Society; and a more brilliant assemblage of gay vegetable forms than 
were present there, could hardly have been desu-ed. A finer May exhibition was probably never seen. 
The weather, though at some pei-iods of the day threatening, was on the whole propitious, and secured 
to the Society a considerable attendance of visitors. Mention has already been made (p. 147) of the 
alterations that have been going forward with a view to the better ordering of the exhibition an'ange- 
ments, and the convenience of the assembled crowds. The new arrangement of the grounds and the 
tents, which has been adopted, is a decided imi^rovement on the former plan ; and now that a beginning 
has been made, we expect to see the Society carry out other and more strildng dc-viations fi-om the 
monotonous formality that has for too long a period obtruded in these otherwise tasteful and gratifying 
scenes — scenes, however, the effect of which is greatly marred by the artificial appearance always 
presented by long, straight, narrow, and elevated hues of staging. 
<M Undoubtedly the subject that first claims mention, in the brief sketch we shall offer of the leading Ij 
(ci) features of the exhibition, is the Royal Water Lily, Victoria regia, of which we have just had the rf) 
rijS gratification of presenting our readers with figures and descriptive memoranda. Of this regal plant, &u 
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