Occupations > Abercrombie's improved practical gardener; with a monthly calendar for the flower garden

218
SEA-CALE.
In the following spring the leaves, or whatevef
the beds are covered with, should be taken off,
leaving some of the most rotten part to be dug
into the alleys. The beds must then be lightly
forked over, and covered with about another inch
of the same sort of mould as before. Not any
part of the crop should be gathered the second
year, though some of the plants will come very
strong. The plants must be kept clear of weeds
during summer, and in winter treated exactly as
before, only, instead of laying the leaves six
inches thick, they must be laid twelve, and in¬
stead of soil at the top, lay a little stable litter,
just to keep the leaves from blowing about; this
must be allowed to remain on until the heads are
ready for use, which will be indicated by their
beginning to raise the covering. Care should be
taken not to remove any more of the covering
than where those heads are that are intended to
be cut. Being thus treated, the heads will be
free and well blanched, and the leaves sweet and
free from any unpleasant flavour.
In gathering the crop, cut the young stems
when about three inches above ground, care
being taken not to injure any of the young buds
below the surface, some of which will begin to
swell immediately. The covering must be im¬
mediately replaced after gathering, and a succes¬
sion of gatherings will be had for five or six
weeks, after which period the covering must be
taken quite away, and the ground forked over,
which will greatly encourage and strengthen
them to produce buds the following spring.