348 GATHERING, STORING AND PACKING 



vegetable the growths are cut when a few inches long, 

 and in this condition resemble Seakale. As the growths 

 are very tender care is necessary in packing them as 

 they must not be crushed. Chicory is in season from 

 November to April. When used as a salad the plant 

 is allowed to make a longer growth, but perfectly 

 blanched, and should be cut over every other day. 



CUCUMBERS 



Should be cut young before the seed is formed. 

 Handle the fruits as little as possible so that the 

 bloom is preserved. The fruits are best taken from 

 the plants daily, as by allowing too many to mature at 

 one time a check to growth results. There is no diffi- 

 culty in keeping the fruits a few days if they are placed 

 stalk end in water. When packed in small quantities 

 place each fruit in soft paper, but when in larger 

 quantities pack them in flats, long fresh grass being 

 used for packing. The Cucumber is in season all the 

 year but is always plentiful from March until October. 

 Fewer ridge varieties are grown now as the others 

 are produced in immense quantities by large growers. 



LEEKS. 



Of late years these have become more popular. 

 The best roots are those with a thick base and well 

 blanched. The plant is quite hardy and is best dug 

 up and used at once, though the roots if lifted, washed 



