Borecole
(Brassica oleracea fimbriata). An important division of the Brassica tribe, often cultivated in gardens under the name of Kale. It comes in very useful when hard weather has rendered cabbages, &c., unfit for use, as it endures cold better than most other green vegetables. Some are also grown as ornamental foliaged plants. Like all other plants of a similar description, they require rich soil, and they should be put out in June or early in July, as it is almost useless to plant this kind of vegetable after the middle of the latter month. To obtain the best results, the ground should be deeply dug and well manured; but it must not be full of crude manure at planting time, or it will make the plants too tender and succulent in wet seasons, with the result that the first sharp frost would cause them to rot. Good hard-stemmed plants are the kinds most needed, especially for crops required in spring, when green vegetables are scarce. Cultivation: Early in April, and again a month later for succession, the seeds should be sown thinly in nursery beds, not covering them too deeply. The soil should be in a friable condition, and it is an advantage if the first beds be made under a south wall. As soon as the seedlings appear, if they are too thick, they should be thinned, as those which are drawn up weak and spindly are useless. When large enough, they should be carefully planted out, choosing showery weather, if possible, for the operation. If it is necessary to plant them in dry weather, they must be well watered-in. The rows should be from 2ft. to 3ft. apart, according to the variety, and the plants 2ft. apart in the rows; or, if potatoes are planted wide apart, the Borecole may be arranged between them. Dead leaves must be cleared away from time to time, but no green ones should be broken off. When the tops are cut for use, the stems should not be denuded of foliage, as they will soon break again and form successional crops. The plants must be kept free from weeds. After April, the Kales are of little use; the stems may therefore be pulled up, and the ground planted with some other crop. They all require the same treatment, and at their various seasons come in equally useful.
Sorts. The distinct forms are somewhat limited, but being largely cultivated on the Continent as well as all parts of Britain on account of its hardy nature, the varieties of Borecole receive a large number of names that are either synonymous with, or indistinct from, a few well-known types. Dwarf Green Curled or Scotch is probably the best and most grown; other good hardy sorts are Asparagus Kale (this name is applied to several different kinds, the best one being in use very late in spring), Buda, Cottagers', Dwarf Purple, Imperial Hearting, Ragged Jack, and Tall Green Curled. Melville's Variegated and Variegated Borecole, amongst others, have fine ornamental foliage.