Cuciunhers  ; Endive. 
8a 
plants  are  showing  above  the  soil  the  weaker  plant  should 
l)e  pinched  off,  and  the  two  stronger  ones  retained.  About 
the  middle  of  May  the  mounds  may  be  prepared  by  simply 
excavating  the  soil  about  a foot  deep  and  two  feet  in  diameter, 
and  placing  therein  some  warm  manure.  The  soil  should 
he  returned  over  the  manure,  and  thus  form  a mound  with 
a hollow  middle,  and  a slight  elevation  in  the  exact  centre. 
Upon  this  slight  elevation  should  he  planted  the  young  (hicum- 
her  plants,  carefully  watered,  and  then  covered  with  a hand- 
light.  A little  air-slaked  lime  placed  around,  and  in  contact 
with,  the  stem  of  the  plant  will  do  much  to  ])revent  death 
from  eel  worm  and  disease.  Water  must  he  carefully  a])plied 
until  the  plants  are  thoroughly  established,  when  sumimu'  rains 
often  supply  all  the  water  they  suhse(juently  require.  Much 
depends  upon  how  water  is  given  to  Cucund)er  plants  ; it  is 
very  important  that  it  should  he  applied  (juite  up  to,  hut  not 
actually  in  contact  with,  the  stems  of  the  ])lants. 
Where  there  is  not  the  convenience  of  a frame  or  hothouse 
for  raising  the  plants  seed  may  he  sown  directly  upon  the 
mounds,  and,  of  course,  the  whole  oj)eration — preparation  of 
mounds  and  seed  sowing — commenced  and  complet(*d  several 
weeks  earlier  than  previously  stated.  Protection  from  frost 
must  he  afforded  at  all  times  until  the  danger  is  past.  Hows  of 
broad  beans  give  very  valuable  shelter,  and  the  crop  may  he 
cleared  and  sold  ere  the  Cucumbers  re(piire  the  whole  of  the 
space. 
Endive. — Endive  is  generally  known  under  two  forms — the 
curled  and  the  broad-leaved  Batavian.  The  curled  variety  has 
Ix'autifully  crimped  and  curled  leaves,  which  are  tender  and 
much  esteemed ; the  Batavian  has  leaves  nearly  flat  and  is 
more  hardy.  The  plant  is  valuable  for  salad  during  winter 
and  early  sj>ring,  hut  will  not  withstand  a severe  winter 
without  injury. 
The  first  sowing  should  be  made  about  the  second  week  in 
June,  and  subsequent  sowings  in  July  and  August.  Sow  the 
seeds  in  drills  six  inches  apart  and  not  more  than  half  an  inch 
in  depth  (or  it  may  be  sown  broad-cast)  upon  rich  soil. 
Transplant  as  soon  as  large  enough  on  to  w'ell-manured  ground, 
in  rows  one  foot  apart  and  nine  inches  a]>art  in  the  rows. 
When  fully  grown  each  plant  should  he  tied  up  in  a hunch, 
the  outer  leaves  enclosintj  the  inner  leaves  and  blanching  them. 
Blanching  may  also  be  done  by  placing  a tile,  flower-pot,  or 
slate  over  each  plant  to  exclude  the  light ; a circular  object  is 
