ESPALIERS. 



107 



The two curled sorts, if neatly earthed up, will blanch pret- 

 tr well without being tied. The Batavian, from its loftier, 

 looser growth, in every case hearts and blanches better 

 with a bandage. The blanching will be completed some- 

 times in a wxek, when the weather is hot and dry ; at 

 others, it may take a fortnight or three weeks ; after which 

 the endive should be taken up for use, or it will soon rot, 

 in six days or less, especially if much rain fall. To save 

 the trouble of tying, this esculent is also occasionally 

 blanched by setting up flat tiles, or boards, on each side of 

 the plants, w^bich, resting against each other in an angular 

 form, and confined with earth, exclude the light. Further, 

 endive may be blanched under garden-pots or blanching- 

 pots, in the manner of sea-kale. In the heat of summer 

 and autumn, tying up is best ; but in wet or cold weather, 

 to cover the plants preserves while it blanches them. 



Occasional shelter. — At the approach of severe frost, 

 cover some thickly with straw^ litter. Also plunge a por- 

 tion into a raised bank of light, dry earth, under a glass 

 case, or covered shed, open to the south. Protect with 

 litter in rigorous weather ; but uncover, and give plenty of 

 air, on mild days. 



To save seed. — " Allot some of the strongest old plants 

 in February or March, if any remain ; otherwise, sow seed 

 in March or April, and transplant or thin the plants to twelve 

 or fifteen inches distance. They will shoot, and the seed 

 ripen in autumn. 



Use. — " It is cultivated for the stocky head of leaves, 

 which, after being blanched to take away the bitter taste, 

 are used in salads and stews." — Loudon. 



ESPALIERS. — Espaliers in horticulture are rows of 

 trees, planted in gardens or hedges, and trained to rails, 

 lattices or trellises of wood work, &c. 



The trees chiefly planted for espaliers are, apples, pears, 

 and plums. Espalier rails are substitutes for walls, and 

 which they so far resemble, that the trees are regularly 

 spread and trained along them, are fully exposed to the 

 light, and, having their branches fixed, are less liable to be 

 injured by high winds. They may be made of wood, cast 

 iron, or wire and wood. 



" An espalier has this advantage over a wall tree, that, 

 as being wholly detached, the branches have liberty to form 

 fruit spurs on both sides, which, in the wall tree cannot be 

 effected but on one ; in fact, common fruit walls are un- 

 necessary in the United States, except in the Eastern 



