"As the weather gets warm in the spring, these banks should be watered; and, when the surface is broken by the rising plant, remove the earth, and cut off the white shoots close to their base: for these shoots form the eatable portion; and, being blanched under ground, they are tender and white, and from six to eight inches long. The shoots should be cut as soon as they reach the surface; because, if the shoot comes through, the top gets purple, and the plants become strong-flavored. As all of the shoots will not appear at once, the bed should be looked over frequently, and a shoot cut whenever it has broken the surface of the soil; for, if not taken early, it soon becomes nearly worthless. In the process of cutting the shoots, the earth becomes gradually removed; and the tops of the plants, coming to the surface again, put forth other shoots, which must be allowed to grow the remainder of the summer, only taking off the blossom-shoots as before. When, at the fall of the year, the leaves turn yellow, and decay, earth up again, after clearing the plants of their bad leaves and removing every weed. Before earthing up, fork the surface a little, just to break it up, that the earth may better take hold, and form a regular mass."—Glenny.
Pot-forcing and Blanching.—"The ground, once planted, is as good for pot-forcing as for any thing; except that, for pot-forcing, it is usual to plant three plants in a triangle, about nine inches apart. The plants are cleared when the leaves decay, and the ground is kept level instead of being earthed up. Pots and covers (called 'sea-kale pots') are placed over the plants, or patches of plants, and the cover (which goes on and off at pleasure) put on. These pots are of various sizes; usually from ten to fourteen inches in diameter, and from a foot to twenty inches in height. If proper sea-kale pots cannot be procured, large-sized flower-pots will answer as substitutes; the pots being put over the plants as they are wanted, generally a few at a time, so as to keep up a succession. Dung is placed all over them; or, if no dung can be had, leaves are used: and they ferment and give out heat as genial, but not so violent, nor do they command so much influence, as the dung. Some may be placed on in February, and some in March. The dung is removed from the top to admit of seeing if the plant is started; and, by timely examination, it is easily seen when the plant is ready for use. The shoots are as white, when thus treated, as when grown by the other method, because of the total darkness that prevails while they are covered; but there is more air in the empty pots than there possibly could be in the solid earth, and it is considered that the vegetable is not so tender in consequence. However, the greater bulk of Sea-kale is so produced."—Glenny.
Taking the Crop.—"The blanched sprouts should be cut when they are from three to six inches in length, and while stiff, crisp, and compact. They should not be left till they are drawn up so as to bend, or hang down. The soil or other material used for excluding the light should be carefully removed, so as to expose the stem of the sprout; and the latter should be cut just below the base of the petioles or leaf-stem, and just enough to keep these attached."—Thomp.
The Sea-kale season continues about six weeks. "Cutting too much will finally destroy the plants. With one good cutting the cultivator should be satisfied, and should avoid the practice of covering and cutting a second time. The proper way is to cut the large, fine shoots, and leave the smaller ones that come afterwards to grow stronger during the summer."
Use.—"The young shoots and stalks, when from the length of three to nine inches, are the parts used. These, however, unless blanched, are no better than the coarser kinds of Borecole; but, when blanched, they become exceedingly delicate, and are much prized. The ribs of the leaves, even after they are nearly fully developed, are sometimes used; being peeled and eaten as asparagus. In either state, they are tied up in small bundles, boiled, and served as cauliflowers."—M'Int.
To obtain Seed.—"Select some strong plants, and allow them to take their natural growth, without cutting off their crowns, or blanching. When the seed is ripe, collect the pods, dry them, and put them into open canvas-bags. The seeds keep best in the pods."—Thomp.
CHAPTER VI.
SPINACEOUS PLANTS.
Amaranthus. Black Nightshade. Leaf-beet, or Swiss Chard. Malabar Nightshade. Nettle. New-Zealand Spinach. Orach. Patience Dock. Quinoa. Sea-beet. Shepherd's Purse. Sorrel. Spinach. Wild or Perennial Spinach.