This section is from "The Domestic Encyclopaedia Vol1", by A. F. M. Willich. Amazon: The Domestic Encyclopaedia.
Boorcole, is a species of the Brassica, L. and generally cultiopen fields like turnips, cabbages, or the turnip-rooted cab
It is one of those hardy plants, leaves of which may be cut without detriment to its growth, and will produce a new crop in the course of a month or six weeks.
According to an experiment made by Mr. Baker in the year 1703, an Irish acre of fallow ground, which was planted with boorcole, at the distance of two feet, and hoed in the Tullian me-thod, produced plants which weighed about five pounds ten ounces each on an average, and the whole luce of an; Irish acre was 40, 096 pounds.
It should he observed, that the land must be well manured, and in a high state of tillage, for the cultivation of this plant, which, if kept constantly hoed, will grow very luxuriantly, and, in the hottest weather, be infinitely more brittle in the leaves than any other cultivated in gardens; which is a certain indication of its being a healthy plant. It is worthy of the attention of the farmer or grazier, on account of the rapidity of its growth, and the property of withstanding the effect of severe frosts, while it affords an excellent vegetable for the table, and may be used with advantage for feeding sheep.
Mr. Baker farther observes, that sheep should not be suffered to depasture so long upon a crop of boorcole, as to injure the stalks ; because its future growth will be checked by depriving it of the sprouting leaves.
 
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