234 OF ESCULENTS. SECT. XV. 



Of the seed called early, there is no doubt much 

 difference : How material a thing it is to improve the 

 breed, and to be ascertained of the quality of seed 

 for early crops, is therefore evident. 



The principal crop of cucumbers should be the 

 long prickly, which is preferable, on the whole, to 

 any other. The Turkey grows strait, long and large; 

 but quality is certainly before quantity, and the cu- 

 cumber that eats crispest is the best. In this respect 

 the Dutch, or white short prickly, (little as it is cul- 

 tivated) is, perhaps, even before the justly admired 

 long prickly, and has fewer seeds: It has an evident 

 difference in taste, but is generally liked. The early 

 African is a very favourite cucumber with some gar- 

 deners. 



Seed should never be saved, except from the most 

 spiny handsome cucumbers. See Of raising Cu- 

 cumbers in the last section. 



ENDIVE is a sallad and culinary vegetable, of 

 which there are three sorts, the curled green and 

 white, and the plain, or broad leaved. The plain, 

 or Batavian endive, is but little used in sallads, as 

 the curled is so much preferable, though cooks prefer 

 it for stewing: The green is the hardiest, and there- 

 fore the late sowings should be all of this sort. 



Sow endive at three several times, between the 

 middle of May, and the middle of July, at equal 

 intervals. Some of the first may, perhaps, run for 

 seed; but yet a little should be then sown; as also 

 at the beginning of August for late use. Scatter the 

 seeds thin, and do not suffer them to grow in clusters 

 to become weak. When the plants are about three 

 inches high, plant them out in an open situation a 

 foot asunder, watering them at the time and twice or 

 thrice after, till they have taken root. The same 

 sowing will make several crops, drawing the strongest 



