SALADS AND HERBS 125 



different subject, producing a crop of splendid salading leaves, 

 which may be blanched by the same means as are employed with 

 Endive. A few plants will prove very useful in the kitchen- 

 garden. The root has a great medicinal value. The simplest 

 culture may be afforded with good results. 



ENDIVE (Cichorimn endivia). After the summer Lettuces 

 have been used, a good batch of Endive is much appreciated, 

 and it may be secured with but little trouble, if reasonable 

 care and attention is given, together with a fair observance of 

 the rules governing its culture. The leaves must be blanched 

 as white as possible to bring them into an edible condition ; 

 this is accomplished by tying the leaves together over the heart 

 of the plants, or by placing a board or piece of slate over them, 

 or covering with rough litter, straw, or hay. The plant is a 

 native of the East Indies, and of somewhat tender constitution. 

 Endive is often spoilt by neglect or wrong treatment. A well- 

 worked border, made moderately rich with rotted manure, 

 should be provided for the seed-bed. Sow the seeds thinly, 

 because the seedlings have a spreading habit, and when in a 

 fit condition to transplant a seedling covers a space quite two 

 inches square. Overcrowded seedlings cannot gain strength. 

 This is one cause of the numerous plants one sees that possess 

 large outer leaves and such poor hearts. Every plant should 

 be strong and compact from the seedling stage onwards. Trans- 

 plant the young plants in their permanent positions after well 

 watering the soil. In doing this, lift them by means of a garden 

 fork, and do not forcibly pull them up, and so needlessly mutilate 

 the roots. Endive is valued most when Lettuces are unobtain- 

 able, and every plant must be grown to withstand adverse 

 weather. In the case of heavy, retentive soils, it is a good plan 

 to form low, rounded ridges fifteen inches apart. On these 

 ridges plant the Endive at the same distance apart, when the 

 cultivator will find that the outer leaves will rest on the gentle 

 incline, the centre will heart freely, and practically every leaf 

 will remain sound, even if long spells of rainy weather and 

 occasional frosts are experienced. Firm soil is essential to 

 success, and where it is stiff and lumpy, the cultivator should, 

 before putting any plants in it, thoroughly break it up. All 

 this tends to the production of big hearts that are crisp and 

 blanched, with few outer, useless leaves. In low-lying districts, 

 where the soil is of a clayey, retentive nature, the cultivator 

 may have some difficulty in preventing loss through decay when 



