THE 
GARDEN YARD 140 
nuisance. Some growers take the roots up and 
put them in forcing house or hot-bed for grow- 
ing greens; or, they may be forced in the dark, 
which gives white or blanched leaves. This 
same effect may be obtained in the field by 
tying up the leaves, thus securing a blanched 
crown just as is done with endive. We owe 
much of the improvement of the dandelion to 
the French. 
PURSLANE. 
Purslane, or, as it is more generally called, 
“pusley,” is another herb that the French 
growers have greatly improved. The common 
pusley weed is a weak, trailing plant, but the 
French, cultivated variety stands up stiff with 
large leaves and juicy stems. It grows easily 
in any good garden soil, matures quickly and 
is not hurt by warm weather. The seeds are 
sown early in the spring and there is little 
danger of the cultivated sort sowing itself and 
becoming a pest. 
There are some other varieties of greens; 
but this book aims only to treat of those which 
are generally grown and for which there is a 
sure market each year. 
