20 



VII : The blanched heart-leaves are made into salad Excellent 

 and wholesome ; considered resolvent and cooling. 



VIII : It is badly blanched by natives and generally bitter and 

 tough. The blanching is an important process, and is variously per- 

 formed. The customary mode is to tie the leaves together a little below 

 their tips, and a few days later about the middle of the plant ; In 2 

 or 3 weeks they are found sufficiently blanched for use. The blanching 

 must be carried on in such a way as to ensure a succession without 

 a glut at any time, for when sufficiently blanched Endive should be 

 used, or it will soon begin to rot. Blanching must begin when the 

 plants have attained nearly their full growth. 



In the case of Endive, the selection of sorts is a question of impor- 

 tance, because the handsome curled var. that make the best appearance 

 on the table, are the very best salads ; being tender, and with a fresh 

 nutty flavour. The var. grown in the country is the Curled (Chico- 

 ree frisee, of the French) with crispy much-cut leaves raised from 

 imported french seed. 



The plant is hardy requiring a rich light soil both water and f. y. 

 manure are indispensable as it is essential for endive to make a quick 

 and succulent growth in order to be at its best. 



Citrullus vulgaris ; Battikh ; Water melon ; Cucurbitaceae. 



I : Many var. are grown but only few worth notice. The most im- 

 portaut of those nro : 



(a) The Yaffa\\ i or Jaffa ; (b) Baladi ; (c) Kharroubi ; (d) Kafrawi 

 or Borolloussi ; (c) Sa'idi (falsely called Akkawi, from Akka in Syria) 

 and (f) Souefi or Beni-Soucfi. 



The first 4 come to maturity early or late in summer and the 2 last 

 chiefly in October and November. 



(a) Is raised from seed imported from Syria. It is of a medium size 

 light green and furrowed outside nearly round in shape com- 

 paratively late in ripening flesh red. rich in sugary substances and 

 firm. It is the best var. when carefully treated and of the greatest 

 demand. Although inferior to the imported Yaila\vi it ranges as 

 the first among the var. grown in the country, requiring a great care 

 in selecting the seed, as seed grown for more than two years in the 

 country, generally produces but inferior fruits. The seed must be 



