CHICCORY, OR SUCCORY. 323 



attains a height of five or six feet ; the radical leaves are 

 deep green, lobed, and, when grown in good soil, measure 

 ten or twelve inches in length, and four inches in width ; 

 the flowers are large, axillary, nearly stemless, of a fine blue 

 color, and generally produced in pairs ; the seeds somewhat 

 resemble those of Endive, though ordinarily smaller, more 

 glossy, and of a deeper brown color. They will keep ten 

 years. The plants continue in blossom from July to Sep- 

 tember ; and the seeds 'ripen from August to October, or 

 until the plants are destroyed by frost. 



Soil, Sowing, and Cultivation. As the roots of Chiccory 

 are long and tapering, it should be cultivated in rich, mellow 

 soil, thoroughly stirred, either by the plough or spade, to 

 the depth of ten or twelve inches. The seed should be sown 

 in April or May, in drills fifteen inches apart, and three 

 fourths of an inch deep. When the young plants are two or 

 three inches high, thin them to eight inches apart in the 

 rows, and, during the summer, cultivate frequently, to keep 

 the soil light, and the groM'ing crop free from weeds. 



Blanching. Before using as a salad, the plants are 

 blanched, either by covering with boxes a foot in depth, or 

 by strips of boards twelve or fourteen inches wide, nailed 

 together at right angles, and placed lengthwise over the rows. 

 They are sometimes blanched by covering with earth, the 

 leaves being first gathered together, and tied loosely at the 

 top, which should be left exposed to light. 



To save Seed. In the autumn, leave a few of the best 

 plants unblanched ; let them be about eighteen inches asun- 

 der. Protect with stable litter ; or, if in a sheltered situa- 

 tion, leave them unprotected during winter, and they will 

 yield abundantly the ensuing summer. 



Taking the Crop. When the leaves are properly blanched, 

 they will be of a delicate, creamy white. When they are 

 about a foot high, they will be ready for use ; and, as soon 



