92 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



soil will do. For forcing or for the roots, Chicory grows 

 best in a deep loam, in good tilth, not rich in nitro- 

 gen or recently manured, and with an open subsoil. 

 Commercially, "it may be said to thrive upon all stone- 

 free soils that will produce paying staple crops, except 

 clays (too hard), lightest sands (too dry) and mucks 

 (too rich in nitrogen and too sour)." (Cyclopedia of 

 American Horticulture.) 



Distances. Rows fifteen inches to two feet. 



Depth. About one inch. 



Sow as soon as the ground can be worked. Sow 

 thickly for green leaves or outdoor blanching; thinly, 

 for the roots or for forcing. 



Thin to two to three inches in the row for leaves, 

 six to eight inches for roots or for forcing. 



Culture as for carrots or salsify. 



Fertilizer. As for root crops: little nitrogen, good 

 amounts of phosphoric acid and potash. Commercially, 

 should not follow clover, but if the plants are grown 

 for the leaves, nitrogen may be given. 



Cut the leaves when young, six to eight inches long, 

 and as often as they grow again. After the last fall 

 cutting, the roots may be left in the ground over 

 winter for a spring cutting. 



Blanching out-of-doors is the same as for endive, 

 by pots, boards, or by earthing up. The leaves are, for 

 this purpose, allowed to grow to a foot or more in 

 length before cutting off the light. They are more 



