452 The Kitchen Gardeit. [O^, 



the ground between and about the plant, be broken with 

 a hoe, and at the fame time draw ibme earth up about 

 the Items of the plants. 



This will be of great ferviceto thefe plants, provided 

 it is done in due time; for by loofening the earth and 

 drawing it up round their flems, it will not only protedi 

 them the better from froil, but will aifo very much pro- 

 mote their growth. 



Winter Spinach* 



Winter fpinach muft now be kept exceeding clean from 

 weeds, for if thefe are permitted to grow, at this time, 

 they would foon over-run the plants and totally deftroy 

 them. Thefe plants are at this feafon bell cleared by 

 hand, particularly where there is chickweed and fuch 

 like fpreading or running weeds among them. 



Where the fpinach was not properly thinned lad 

 month, let that work be now done in a proper manner,, 

 and do it in the beginning of the month. 



In doing this, obferve to clear away the worH^ and. 

 leave the ftrongeft plants Handing at the diftance of about, 

 four or five inches from one another. 



Or the plants may only be moderately thinned now, 

 in order to admit of thinning out fbme forufe by de- 

 grees, this and the enfuing winter months.. 



In this month (ome of the fpinach of the AXig uft Tow- 

 ing will be fit to gather ; obferving, if it was left thick, 

 let them be thinned out regularly by the root for ufcf. 

 but if before properly thinned, crop only the outfids- 

 large leaves, and the others will advance, for ufe in a fucr- 

 cefTive order. 



Endi've, 



Continue every week to tie up fom-e endive plants for 

 blanching. 



Choofe a dry day to do this, obferving always to make 

 choice for this purpofe, of fuch plants as are quite or 

 nearly full grou'n. Let the leaves be gathered up regu- 

 larly, and clofe in the hand, and then, with a piece of: 

 ftrong bafs, tie them neatly together. 



When the endive is thus tied, youmay alfo, at the 

 fame time in dry weather,, draw up fome earth round 

 fome of the plants, almoll to. the top of their leaves. 

 This will very much promote the blanching, and will 

 make the plants exceeding white arnd tender to eat. 



Some 



