376 VEGETABLE FORCING 
stored in a cool shed, frame or cellar where they can be 
kept fairly moist and perfectly dormant. Storage condi- 
tions which are suitable for asparagus roots (page 182) 
will be satisfactory for withloof roots. 
Witloof chicory may be forced under greenhouse 
benches, in cheaply constructed houses, as explained for 
thubarb and asparagus, in cellars and in out-of-door 
trenches. A temperature of 50 to 60 degrees will meet 
the requirements of the crop. Higher temperatures cause 
the growth of long sheots, and the total weight of the 
crop will be less than when it is grown at lower tempera- 
tures. ; 
The roots, of course, may vary considerably in size. 
This necessitates grading them according to size before 
they are planted. In deep, rich soils some of the roots 
will be nearly a foot long, while others may be not more 
than half that length. It is best to make about four 
grades. Each grdde is also cut to an approximately 
uniform length. That is, the slender tips are cut off so as 
to make each grade of roots about the same length; the 
crowns will then be on the same level when the roots are 
placed in the beds. 
The roots may be taken from storage at any time from 
late fall until spring. In order to secure a succession of 
heads or shoots, new plantings should be made every 
week or two. An inch or two of soil is placed in the 
bottom of the bed. The roots are then arranged to stand 
erect. (Fig. 131.) There is some difference of opinion 
as to the spacing of the roots, but there can be no serious 
objection to placing them so close together that they 
almost touch. It is likely that the best results will be 
obtained if each root is completely surrounded with moist 
soil or sand. This is easily sifted between them as the 
planting proceeds. 
In order to blanch the shoots or heads and to make 
them grow compact, as shown in Fig. 180, it is necessary 
