145 SALAD 



CROPS 



quickly unless used at once, and if rain or damp 

 weather follows the tying-up, there is great 

 danger of decay while in the ground. So the 

 plants must be examined occasionally to see 

 that they are doing well. When endive is 

 used as a pot-herb, as it sometimes is, it is 

 better to pick the new young plants before they 

 have time to head or can be blanched. The 

 coarse, outer leaves of the plant are apt to be 

 bitter and tough, so that only the leaves of the 

 crown are used for salads. 



With all these crops you can see why nearness 

 to market is so important — even though the 

 land is higher priced. 



CHICORY. 



Chicory has various uses and is now quite 

 largely grown in gardens. As a salad plant 

 only the tender, blanched leaves of the crown 

 are used. The outer, green leaves are often 

 used for "greens," like dandelion. Chicory is 

 not a surface feeder like most salad plants, but 

 is grown as a root crop the same as carrots or 

 parsnips. The soil must be deep, that the roots 

 may come to perfection by fall; cuttings of 

 leaves may be made during the season. The 

 roots may be left in the ground over the winter. 

 Chicory is really a perennial, but under culti- 



10 



