376 VEGETABLE FORCING 



stored in a cool shed, frame or cellar where they can be 

 kept fairly moist and perfectly dormant. Storage condi- 

 tions which are suitable for asparagus roots (page 182) 

 will be satisfactory for withloof roots. 



Witloof chicory may be forced tinder greenhouse 

 benches, in cheaply constructed houses, as explained for 

 rhubarb and asparagus, in cellars and in out-of-door 

 trenches. A temperature of 50 to 60 degrees will meet 

 the requirements of the crop. Higher temperatures cause 

 the growth of long shoots, and the total weight of the 

 crop will be less than when it is grown at lower tempera- 

 tures. 



The roots, of course, may vary considerably in size. 

 This necessitates grading them according to size before 

 they are planted. In deep, rich soils some of the roots 

 will be nearly a foot long, while others may be not more 

 than half that length. It is best to make about four 

 grades. Each grade is also cut to an approximately 

 uniform length. That is, the slender tips are cut off so as 

 to make each grade of roots about the same length ; the 

 crowns will then be on the same level when the roots are 

 placed in the beds. 



The roots may be taken from storage at any time from 

 late fall until spring. In order to secure a succession of 

 heads or shoots, new plantings should be made every 

 week or two. An inch or two of soil is placed in the 

 bottom of the bed. The roots are then arranged to stand 

 erect. (Fig. 131.) There is some difference of opinion 

 as to the spacing of the roots, but there can be no serious 

 objection to placing them so close together that they 

 almost touch. It is likely that the best results will be 

 obtained if each root is completely surrounded with moist 

 soil or sand. This is easily sifted between them as the 

 planting proceeds. 



In order to blanch the shoots or heads and to make 

 them grow compact, as shown in Fig. 130, it is necessary 



