138 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



the middle of March ; and again in the middle of 

 February for gathering in May. As the season ad- 

 vances and becomes naturally warmer, it will not be 

 necessary to make the hot-beds so thick or with so 

 much fresh manure as for those used during the colder 

 months of the year. 



From the middle of March, fine-leaved Endives may 

 be sown under cloches or in cold frames, pricking out 

 the seedlings and transplanting in due course in the 

 way already described. As the season advances, the 

 lights or cloches may be taken off the plants altogether 

 in fine weather. They must be kept growing steadily 

 by giving plenty of water, almost every day it does 

 not rain, otherwise there is a danger of the plants 

 running to seed or " bolting." 



Intercropping. During the summer months Endives 

 in the open air are intercropped with Cos and Cabbage 

 Lettuces, and later on in the season Spinach or 

 Corn Salad is often sown between the rows. I have 

 seen such plantations in the neighbourhood of Vitry 

 in August, and was astonished at the use made of 

 every square inch of ground. 



The broad-leaved or " Scarole " Endives possess a 

 hardy constitution and are finely flavoured. The most 

 popular varieties are the "Batavian" or "Scarole ronde," 

 " Green-market " or " Vertemaraichere," chiefly grown 

 for autumn and winter use ; while the " Scarole blonde," 

 or " Lettuce-leaved Endive," is an early variety that 

 comes into use in June and July from seeds sown 

 about the middle of April on a bed having a tempera- 

 ture of 65 to 70 Fahr. The " blonde " Endives are 

 planted about i ft. apart every way, but the "Batavian" 

 (fig. 35) (" ronde ") or " Verte maraichere " kinds 



