64 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



From plants put in during October we have been able to 

 pull an appreciable quantity for Christmas, and almost invariably 

 the whole stock was cleared out during January. When 

 ready for market pull them up by the root and pack in light 

 shallows. 



ENDIVE 



Except for blanching the leaves, endive calls for practically 

 the same treatment as the lettuce, which it so closely resembles. 

 It is such a hardy plant that during a mild winter a regular 

 supply can be obtained from the open air. We cannot, however, 

 trust to that, and so are almost obliged to grow them under 

 cover. When the winter is a hard one, the price of endive 

 makes it quite a profitable proposition, and taking the years 

 on an average, it probably is more profitable than lettuce, 

 though less in demand. 



The blanching of the leaves must be attended to. Hold 

 the leaves together with one hand while with the other you 

 draw dry earth around them, then cover with pieces of board or 

 slates, saucers or even inverted pots. If grown on a large scale 

 wooden troughs may be made to invert over them, and this 

 method may effect a great saving of time. 



RADISHES 



A high-roofed house is not suitable for radishes, for if too far 

 from the light they will develop thick necks and a head of 

 foliage instead of forming bulb. Dig the borders as for lettuce, 

 and make the soil moderately firm by treading. Rake the soil 

 well to make an even seed bed, for the radish is rather particular 

 about this when grown inside. This should be somewhere 

 from the middle of October to the middle of November. 



Sow the seeds broadcast, but regularly and thinly. Should 

 the soil be dry, water with a rose after sowing. Germination 

 will take place in a few days if the weather is mild and open, 

 but directly that takes place it is most important that the 

 ventilators should be opened every day. If the seeds come up 

 too thickly in any place, thin them out as speedily as possible, 

 for without ample room there will be no radish to pull. 



