CHAP, xxiir 



VILLA GAEDEXLN'G 489 



tie up the plants when quite drj- and place an inverted flower-pot 

 over each one, with a bit of slate over the hole to keep out damp. 

 Another plan is to lay a broad thin board over the plants in each 

 row without any tying up at all. In the autumn the plants may, 

 after tying up, be covered with dry Fern or Oak leaves, and they 

 will keep good in this condition a long time. As a rule in summer 

 and autumn they are tied up or covered up in batches in succession, 

 as after a time the growth will under any circumstances begin to 

 decay. At the approach of the season, when sharp frost may 

 reasonably be expected, a part of the stock shoidd be lifted and 

 planted in tiuf pits or frames, or in some place where shelter can 

 be afi"orded. If tied up when dry, and a ridge of dry ashes formed 

 over them, they wiU keep in good condition a long time. Some- 

 times the plants are lifted with balls, and moved to the Mushroom- 

 house for a week or two, as they blanch quickly in such a situation, 

 though they do not keep long. On the whole I do not think there 

 is a much better plan than tying up a lot of plants in November 

 when quite dry, and covering deeply, as they stand on the bed, 

 with dry Fern or Oak leaves. I have seen them keep sound and 

 fresh imder such conditions for a couple of months. The atmo- 

 spheric conditions are not always quite suitable when the plants are 

 taken to frames or the Mushroom-house. They are either too dry 

 and get tough, or too damp and decay sets in. Some of the last- 

 sown plants should be planted in a turf pit where shelter can be 

 given, and a part shoidd be planted on a ridge or bank to come on 

 in the open air in spring. 



Forcing. — Thoitgh this is not commonly done, there may be 

 places where it is desirable to have it in spring as well as forced 

 Lettuces. A bed made of two-thirds leaves and one-third manure 

 will be best to raise the plants on. As soon as the heat has risen 

 nicely — and with a bed made of such materials it will not get too 

 hot — place on a layer 6 inches thick of nice light rich soil, and 

 sow the seeds thinly broadcast. Thin first of all to 3 inches apart, 

 planting the thinnings to other frames if possible. Later on, as 

 required, thin the plants to 9 inches apart, midch with some short 

 rich compost, and keep moist. 



Varieties. — There are two distinct classes of Endive — one has 

 curled leaves, and the other more resembles Lettuces in growth 

 and foliage. Some people think the broad-leaved (Bata\-ian) more 

 crisp and of better flavour than the curled-leaved kinds, but the latter 

 are the most cidtivated. Green-curled varieties : DigsweU Prize 

 and Large Green Ciurled. Batarian varieties: Eraser's Improved 

 and White Lettuce-Leaved. 



