CULTUUK OF SUCCORY AS A AVINTKII SALAD 



and unworthy of cultivation ; we hope some one of our competent vegetable growers 

 will favor the readers of the Horticulturist with a select list of the most esteemed sorts. 



This is a loiiir pivface to a few remarks we have (d inukc relative tu the introduc- 

 tion of a new ingredient for a winter salad, whieh can be had in profusion, at tri- 

 fling cost, within the reach of every one, and pronounced by connoisseurs in these 

 matters as being a very superior article. It consists of the blanched leaves of Suc- 

 cory or AA'ild Kudivc, now become a common and in many cases a troublesome weed 

 in the fields and road sides in this neighborhood. 



The Succory, Chiccory, or wild Endive, (^Oichorium Inf//lu!>), has long been cul- 

 tivated on the continent of Europe, the leaves as food for cattle, and the roots cut 

 in pieces, dried and ground, mixed with coffee; the leaves blanched, that is, grown 

 in the dark, is a favorite salad ingredient in France, known as Barhe de Capvcln, 

 and its use in this latter form we desire to make more extensively known, as we feci 

 assured it will be appreciated by all who like a good salad in winter. 



Summer Treatment. — To procure good plants, seeds must be sown annually 

 about the first or second week in July, if sown much earlier they will run to seed, 

 which materially deteriorates the roots for the purpose in (juestion. The soil being 

 deeply spaded and moderately enriched, sow the seeds in shallow drills eighteen 

 inches apart. As they proceed in growth thin out the plants to stand ten or twelve 

 inches upart ; the usual operations of weeding and hoeing must not be neglected, 

 and should the weather prove very dry the soil between the rows may be forked 

 over to keep it loose and mellow, and preserve an uninterrupted growth, that the 

 plants may gain strength without running to seed. Towards the end of October, 

 the plants should be carefully lifted, and all the leaves cut off; it is now ready for 

 its winter quarters. 



Winter Treatment. — To those familiar with gardening operations, it would be 

 sufficient to state that the roots are now gently excited to growth, and the leaves 

 blanched ; but to many it may be necessary to enter slightly into details. Those 

 who are in possession of a greenhouse, will find the floor underneath the plant stage, 

 an admirable situation for its growth, while those who have no such convenience, 

 will find a warm dry cellar equally suitable. Procure some common inch boards and 

 construct a rough box similar to a garden frame. The sides should be eighteen 

 inches deep all round. Fill in nine or ten inches of soil, tramp it firm, and plant 

 the roots in rows nine inches apart all over the surface. Water must be carefully 

 applied ; very little will suSice, and none until the plants are growing fi-eely. The 

 box should be kept constantly covered with boards ; unless light is completely ex- 

 cluded, the blanching operation is imperfect. 



In gathering the leaves, those on the outside should be pulled singly off. Cutting 

 with a knife is liable to injure the heart which should not be disturbed. A frame 

 six feet by four, will afford a daily salad for nine or twelve weeks, sufficient for any 

 ordinary family. 



In order to save seeds a few roots should be left out in the fall, or the best plant- 

 ed out of the box in spring ; the plant is a hardy perennial and seeds profusely 



