232 GAKDENING FOB THE SOUTH. 



of bass; then cover them entirely with sand in the 

 form of a cone, making the surface smooth and firm. 

 This must be done in dry, but not frosty weather, as the 

 plants will rot if the leaves are wet or frozen. They may 

 also be blanched, under garden pots like sea-kale, or by 

 merely tying them closely, winding the string several 

 times round the plant and closing the top, so as to ex- 

 clude the rain, drawing the earth around the base to sup- 

 port it. This is the best mode in hot weather ; in autumn 

 they will blanch in ten days, in winter they require nearly 

 twice that time. Succory to blanch is taken up and 

 planted in boxes of mould, which are carried into a cellar 

 or dark room and watered when necessary. The blanched 

 leaves will be supplied all winter. Endive needs no pro- 

 tection in our Southern winters. At the North it is taken 

 up with earth about the roots, and wintered in frames. 



For Seed. Let some of the best and most vigorous 

 plants remain till February, and transplant if you wish to 

 use the ground, in rows eighteen inches apart. Support 

 the stems by stakes, and gather the seed vessels as they 

 ripen. Dry them thoroughly on a cloth, thresh, and pre- 

 serve in paper bags. The seed will keep four years. 



Use. Endive is cultivated for its stocky head of leaves, 

 which, after their bitterness is removed by blanching, are 

 used in autumn and winter for salads and stews. It 

 possesses a good deal of the virtues of the dandelion ; it 

 never disagrees with the stomach, but suits every consti- 

 tution. The French use it in a variety of forms, raw, 

 stewed, boiled, etc., but it is chiefly employed as a salad. 



