190 SALAD PLANTS. 



the larger, broad-leaved sorts ; afterwards thinning out the 

 plants to a foot asunder in the rows. 



If sown in a nursery-bed, transplant when the young 

 plants have eight or ten leaves, setting them at the distances 

 before directed. 



The first sowing may be made as early in spring as the 

 weather will permit ; and a sowing may be made a month 

 or six weeks after, for a succession : but as it is for use late 

 in autumn, or during the winter and spring, that Endive is 

 most required, the later sowings are the most important. 

 These are usually made towards the end of July. 



Blanching. Before using, the plants must be blanched, 

 which is performed in various ways. The common method 

 is as follows : When the root-leaves have nearly attained 

 their full size, they are taken when entirely dry, gathered 

 together into a conical form, or point, at the top, and tied 

 together with matting, or any other soft, fibrous material, by 

 which means the large, outer leaves are made to blanch the 

 more tender ones towards the heart of the plant. 



After being tied in this manner, the plants are sometimes 

 blanched by earthing, as practised with Celery or Cardoons. 

 Blanching-pots, or, in the absence of these, common flower- 

 pots, inverted over the plants, will be found a safe and effect- 

 ual means of rendering them white, crisp, and mild flavored. 



Time required for Blanching. In summer weather, when 

 vegetation is active, the plants will blanch in ten days ; but 

 in cool weather, when the plants have nearly attained their 

 growth, or are slowly developing, three weeks will be re- 

 quired to perfect the operation. 



Harvesting, and Preservation during Winter. " Before 

 frost sets in, take them up with a ball of soil to each, and 

 put them into light earth in a cellar or some warm building. 

 Put only the roots into the earth. Do not suffer the plants 

 to touch each other, and pour a little water round the roots 

 after they are placed in the earth. If they are perfectly dry 

 when tied up, they will keep till spring." Corb. 



