AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



509 



Endive continued. 



and the result would be an excellent supply of salad 

 in many places where now the existence of the means 

 of such supply is unknown. 



Cultivation. Endive is seldom forced, and is nnsnited 

 for early summer cultivation. If, however, it is required, 

 seed may be sown in a frame or a warm border, in April, 

 and snccessional sowings made each time the previous 

 one is well up. A first, of the Curled-leaved early forts, 

 should, in all cases, be made not later than the beginning 

 or middle of July ; another, of the Broad-leaved varieties, 

 early in August; and a third in the middle or at the 

 latter end of that month. In many gardens, Endive 

 runs prematurely to seed when sown earlier than the 

 dates mentioned; while in others, in cold districts, 

 it would be advisable to precede them in each case, in 

 order to have the plants fully grown before winter. 

 The Curled varieties, being close-growing, more tender, 

 and blanching quicker than those with broad leaves, 

 should be selected for the first supply. The seed may 

 be sown either thinly in beds, and transplanted when 

 large enough ; or in the open ground where the plants 

 are intended to remain. A border with a south or a 

 west aspect is best; and if a previous early crop, such 

 as Potatoes or Peas, has been removed from the soil, 

 it will generally be in good condition by merely levelling 

 down. Drills, 1ft. or lift, apart, may be drawn, and 

 the seed inserted thinly, and covered with a rake. The 

 young plants, when large enough to handle, should be 

 thinned out to about 1ft. apart, and any blank spaces 

 filled up. This system suits the early and main crops 

 admirably ; but those grown late for lifting are best trans- 

 planted when young, as this operation causes the pro- 

 duction of more roots. A quick growth of the leaves 

 should be encouraged by watering if the weather is dry, 

 as this will also tend to prevent seeding. As soon as they 

 are nearly full grown, blanching may be commenced, 

 and this will be found practicable in many and various 

 ways. Tying-np is sometimes sufficient; but, generally, 

 inverted flower-pots, with the hole in the bottom stopped 

 up; boards, placed at right angles over the rows, and 

 covered with mats ; frames with the glass darkened, or 

 any other similar means, may be adopted with equally good 

 results. The plants should, in no case, be covered except 

 when quite dry. The blanching process takes from ten 

 days to a fortnight, and, as Endive does not keep good 

 for any length of time in this condition, a small quantity 

 should be covered at frequent intervals. It is of little use 

 unless thoroughly blanched. About the end of October, 

 all full-sized plants should be lifted and stored close 

 together in a frost-proof place, choosing a dry day for 

 the operation. Any spare frames or pits may be utilised 

 for the purpose; sheds will also be suitable for those 

 intended to be used first, if the latter are covered and 

 protected from frost. Where sufficient plants are grown, 

 and means are at command for their preservation in 

 winter, the season for Endive may be prolonged until 

 the appearance of early Lettuces, in spring. 



Endive continued. 



Seed-iaving. Only such plant* as are true to the 

 character of the variety should be kept for this purpose. 

 Seed is best obtained from selected plants, which should 

 be protected in winter by some means, and allowed to 

 grow the following season. The flower-heads should be 

 tied to stakes, and the seed gathered, dried, and stored, 

 as it ripens. It will keep good for several yean, and 

 is preferred by some when rather old, as the plants an 

 considered not liable to seed again so quickly as if it 

 were newly-gathered. 



Sort*. These may be separated into two classes: one, 

 having narrow and much divided leaves, is called Curled 

 Endives (see Fig. 705); the other, with larger leaves. 



no. 705. CUBLKD-LIUVBD RMDIVE, 



FIG. 706. BROAD-LKAVKD KXDIVR, 



not curled, being termed Broad-leaved Endives (see F5 

 706). Subjoined is a selection from the best in both 

 classes. 



sa^^^^^^r^g^o^HS 

 sartrtsz atstsjsai ?& ss 



CURLED, hardy, ties up well : Moss CURLED, small, finely cut ; 

 PICPUS CURLED, a compact, close-hearted variety .hi AIL BA- 

 TAVIA*. broad leaves, the inner one* naturally forming ataa 

 STAG'S HOR.N, curled variety, hardy, much grown in h 

 WHITE BATAVIA.N, broad leaved, an excellent variety for bUncb- 

 ing. 



ENDIVE, WHJ>. See Cnicory. 



ENDOCABJP. The inner membrane of a fruit; the 

 lining of a carpel. 



ENDOGENOUS. A stem is said to be End 

 when it is formed by successive additions to its centre. 



ENDOGENS. See Monocotyledons. 



ENDOSPERM. The albumen of a seed. 



ENGINES, GARDEN. These are of two descrip- 

 tions, several forms of both being in use in gardens. < 

 is termed a Hand Engine, from its being small and carru 

 by the hand ; the other is the Barrow Engine, so-called 

 from being constructed on two wheels, and having a 

 handle fixed to either side. Beyond throwing a con- 

 tinuous stream from the jet when in use, many of the 

 former kind are not superior to a good syringe 

 Barrow Engine is most useful for syringing trees 01 

 Santo that require a force of water. Peach and other 

 fruit-trees, either in houses or on walls outside, n 

 svringed frequently in the season of growth, excepting 

 wTen* STwer, and kept clean much more effectually 

 by this than by any other method. This kind of Engine 

 f almost useful for washing the glass inside of fruit 

 and plant houses, at any time. The Barrow Engine is 

 Somjosed of an oval-shaped cistern, made preferably of 

 woodT but sometimes of galvanised iron. It w MA* 

 broader each way at the bottom than at the top. 

 is generally perforated, and either movable or fixed n 

 two parts on hinges to the cross bridge that holds all 

 tte otter parts kTpo-ition. The working arrangement, 

 inside are Wy similar in principle to that of a force- 

 P^p, and consirt of two upright cylinder^ one con- 



