210 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



very liable to " bolt " if they receive the slightest check of any 

 kind, and to counteract this tendency it is customary in many 

 places to sow where the plants are to remain, thinning them 

 out to the required distance apart. This plan is very wasteful 

 of seed, but ensures a steady growth to the plants, free from 

 the check caused by transplanting. At the same time it is 

 quite possible by exercising proper care to keep bolting down 

 to a very small percentage, the main points being to transplant 

 whilst small to a bed of rich soil, to set out in the final position 

 early, and never at any time to allow the plants to suffer from 

 a shortage of water. 



Copyright, V. A. & Co. 



Ruffec Green Curled Endive. 



For general purposes a small sowing of one of the fine curled 

 varieties should be made in June, another of a similar variety 

 about the middle of July, and two others of hardy varieties at 

 the beginning and in the middle of August. The seed-bed, 

 which should consist of good rich soil, must have the surface 

 made firm after sowing by beating with the back of a spade. 

 Unless the seed-beds are quite moist they, should be thoroughly 

 watered before sowing, and during August it is often a good 

 plan to water the drills before sowing to ensure germination. 



The soil for Endive should be rich but not too heavy. The 

 earlier plantings are best made in a moist position at 1ft. apart 

 each way. The later varieties, which are of stronger growth, 

 should have 15in. space each way. As these have frequently to 



