488 VILLA GAEDENiyCr part v 



The last lot of plants ■will come iu useful in spring if the winter is 

 not too severe, but Endive when unblanched will stand a good deal 

 of frost without injury, and where frames can be spared protection 

 should be given after November. In 



Setting Out the Pla>'ts from the seedbed those intended 

 for summer and autumn use shoidd occupy a nice open position. A 

 piece of groimd nmning through one of the quarters of the garden 

 will suit them better than positions under walls, or near fruit or 

 other trees. The ground should have been forked up deeply, and 

 receive a sufficient dressing of manure or mauurial compost. I 

 confess that for Endive I Uke dressing the land with a sort of 

 omnium gatherum compost in preference to maniu-e piu-e and simple. 

 To get a quick growth for Endive the soU shoidd be well broken 

 and pidverised through all the stages of growth from the seed 

 onwards. A bed 8 or 10 feet wide running across the quarter of 

 the garden furnishes a supply that will last some time — it is not 

 advisable to plant so much land at one time till we are sure 

 the plants will stand : but I think, if treated properly, that all 

 plants raised after the middle of June may be relied on. "When 

 the bed is ready take a light board or plank that will just reach 

 across the bed, make a couple of sticks 15 inches long, and keep 

 one at each end to measure with. The board wiU do as a straight- 

 edge to plant by. A couple of men will put out a large number 

 of plants in a short time, and the ground remains in a nice open 

 condition. 



For winter a well-drained situation should be selected — a border 

 sloping to the south being the best. It is a good plan to nip oft' 

 the ends of the leaves when transplanting, especially if they are 

 long or straggling, as it induces compactness of growth, which is 

 very desirable. The plants for late autumn and early winter use 

 will come from the last July and first Aiigust sowing. Cleanly 

 culture, which Is included in a frequent stirring of the surface 

 among the growing plants, must at all times be insisted on ; and 

 though where the land has been thoroughly prepared water is less 

 necessary, there are times and seasons when a good soaking of 

 water, including some liquid manure, may be of great benefit, the 

 surface being stirred up with the Dutch hoe early the next morning, 

 before the sun has dissipated all the moisture. 



The Blaxchin'g is a very necessary operation, and should be 

 performed as soon as the plants are large enough. There are 

 several ways of doing this ; but no matter how done, whether by 

 covering or by tying up, the plants must be dry before the light 

 and air are excluded. If covered up when damp the hearts or the 

 leaves will decay. The common way of blanching in summer is to 



