Aug.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 4^3 



and repeat it frequently if necessary. Be particular always to sow 

 and plant your lettuces in an open situation, and not to suffer them 

 to be drawn up, or to remain too long in the seed-beds, otherwise 

 they will never form good heads. 



Endive. 



Tie up your endive, which is full grown, or cover them with 

 boards or tiles to blanch; this must be performed when the leaves 

 are very dry, otherwise the plants will rot. Select the large and 

 full -hearted plants, and with bass or other strings, or with small 

 osier twigs, tie them a little above the middle, not too tight, pre- 

 viously gathering up the leaves regularly in the hand. 



Transplant, agreeably to the directions given in page 432, such 

 young endive as is now of a proper size, and water it immediately, 

 which repeat, occasionally, till the plants begin to grow freely. 

 These plants must be set in an open situation, and by no means 

 near any kind of shade whatever. 



In the early part of the month sow a full crop of endive for late 

 autumn and winter use; the green curled sort is by much the 

 most preferable for this sowing, as being more hardy and keeping 

 better than any other kind. It would be proper to sow some more 

 of the same sort about the middle of the month; for these, provided 

 they have time to grow to a proper size, will keep better than those 

 which were sown earlier. 



Cardoons and Finochio. 



The cardoons, which were planted in June, will now be arrived 

 at some considerable height, so that you may begin to tie up some 

 for blanching; bind the stalks round, rather loosely, as practised 

 with endive, and draw the earth up to the stems, as you would to 

 celery: repeat this earthing, from time to time, as they advance in 

 growth, till whitened to a sufficient height. 



Earth up finochio, which is full grown, in order to blanch, and 

 render it tit for use. 



Melons and Cucumbers. 



Your crops of melons and cucumbers, whether in an advancing 

 or fruiting state, should be kept very clean, which will much im- 

 prove the flavour and encourage the growth of the fruit. If the 

 weather proves very dry a gentle watering, now and then, given in 

 the evening, will be of considerable service to the late crops, but 

 more particularly to the cucumbers. 



Care of the general Crops. 



All your crops should be kept clear from weed3, using the hoe 

 where it can be done with safety, and where not, they must be care- 

 fully hand-wed. Earth up your advancing crops of cabbages, peas, 



