446 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



in the spring before they were planted. In dealing with ground of 

 this description, at this moment, I should cover it with at least six 

 inches of good fat manure, and dig it in rather deeply, incorporating 

 the soil and manure well together. This is the best way to secure 

 large crisp hearts which alone are fit for the salad bowl. When 

 the plants are strong enough for transplanting, and the quarter or 

 border ready for their reception, commence by drawing out driUs 

 about four inches deep, run the foot along them to make the bottom 

 of the trench firm, and then pour a few cans of water in each, unless 

 the weather is showery, and then the water will not be necessary 

 until after the planting is finished, to settle the soil about the roots. 

 The curled kinds should be planted about a foot apart each way, and 

 the broad-leaved Batavians will require fifteen inches, if the soil is 

 in good heart. To grow them to a fair size, a little assistance in 

 the shape of a few good waterings will be beneficial until they are 

 nicely established. The next point to be thought about is the 

 blanching ; and so far as I have been able to try the various methods 

 which have been recommended from time to time, I cannot find any- 

 thing better than tying them up with a piece of matting. As they 

 are planted deeply, the soil can be filled in round them, and a little 

 soil also drawn up round the strong-growing Batavians. When this 

 is done, it is not so necessary to tie them so early. They grow close 

 together and have tolerable hearts, and a piece of matting round the 

 top finishes the blanching. If the earthing-up is not adopted, many 

 of the leaves will, in tying them up, be snapped entirely off", or bruised 

 so much as to be of very little service afterwards. All that are 

 blanched a little must have protection of some kind from sharp frosts, 

 or the tips of the leaves will rot, and spoil one half of the endive, 

 I generally take them up directly there is any danger from frost, and 

 place them close together in some of the fruit houses that are thrown 

 open, or in a cold frame, if I have room to spare. I have before now 

 made a temporary frame with a few boards, and covered it with old 

 doors or mats, and have found it to answer very well. Those which 

 are tied up about the beginning of November, will not take much 

 harm if they have a flower-pot turned over them of an evening when 

 there is any likelihood of a frost. Several hundred can be covered 

 or uncovered in a very few minutes. These, as a matter of course, 

 will also require taking up to be put under cover directly they have 

 a nice heart, as the blanched portions are injured sooner than the 

 green leaves. Tliis batch will last nicely through January and 

 February. 



For late spring use, a sowing should be m.ade towards the end 

 of August, on a bank two or three feet high, facing south. Plants 

 pricked out, and the plants put out on a border of this description, 

 will turn in well in the spring, though rather small. The market 

 gardeners plant their endive for the spring along the banks of the 

 hedges which form the boundary to their fields. Damp is such a 

 great enemy to this vegetable that, unless planted on sloping banks 

 of this description, the greater part of them would be destroyed 

 through the winter unless protected in frames, and then the trans- 

 planting would most probably cause them to run before fit for using. 



