Endive. 211 



pass through severe weather they should be planted on a bed 

 raised somewhat above the general level, so as to ensure 

 thorough drainage and a dry surface. 



Blanching. Endive is useless unless it is properly blanched. 

 This operation is easy in the case of the earlier supplies. On 

 a day when the plants are quite dry the leaves are gathered 

 together and tied round with raffia. They are fit for use in a 

 week or ten days in the summer, but as winter approaches and 

 growth becomes slower the time required for blanching may 

 be extended to three weeks. The latest supplies may be 

 blanched 'as they stand in the bed, either by tying or by 

 covering with pieces of slate, boards, or litter, or by any other 

 means which will effectually exclude light from the hearts, but 

 in wet seasons this method has disadvantages, as decay quickly 

 sets in when the heart gets wet after being covered, and the 

 plant is then spoiled. A good plan for the latest supplies is to 

 lift and store them packed closely together in cold frames. 

 On a day when the plants are quite dry they are carefully tied 

 up, lifted with a good ball of earth at the roots, and planted in 

 the frames as closely as possible. Moist soil should be used, 

 into which the Endive soon pushes fresh roots. As soon as the 

 frames are filled the ties are removed, and the lights are put 

 on, raised a little at each corner to allow a current of air to 

 pass through. The plants are blanched in batches, as required, 

 by being covered with hay. In severe weather frost must be 

 excluded by covering up the frames with mats. The hardy 

 varieties of Endive should be selected for storing and with 

 care will keep sound until well past the turn of the year. 

 When sufficient frames are not available the plants will keep a 

 considerable time if stored in a similar manner in a dry shed. 

 Under any method of storing the plants should be dry when 

 lifted and free from any bruising or decay. 



^Varieties: For earliest supplies, Moss Curled; for summer, 

 Green Curled Paris, Green Curled Summer; for late summer 

 and autumn, Rouen or Stag's Horn, Green Fine Curled Winter ; 

 for winter, Ruffec Green Curled, Broad Leaved Batavian. 



