MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES 



377 



Fig. 131. Planting witloof chicory in trenches. 



to cover the crowns with fine soil, sand or sawdust. 

 Sand is probably the favorite material. For the early 

 crop this need not be more than 4 or 5 inches deep, but 

 ordinarily from 6 to 8 inches of sand should be placed 

 over the crowns, after they have had a thorough soaking 

 with water. One or two additional waterings may be 

 needed, or several waterings if the evaporation of mois- 

 ture from the beds is very rapid. If there are compara- 

 tively high temperatures, shoots may appear at the 

 surface of the sand in two weeks, when they are ready to 

 cut, though three to four weeks are usually required. 



Most excellent witloof may be grown in out-of-door 

 trenches. They should be about 18 inches deep and 15 



