Endive {Cichoriurm endivia).

Varieties

The green-curled, the only one cultivated for the main crops, as it best endures wet and cold; the white-curled, chiefly grown for summer and autumn; the broad-leaved, or Bata-vian, is preferred for soups and stews, but is seldom used for salads.

Soil And Situation

Endive delights in a light, dry, but rich soil, dug deep, as well for the free admission of its taproot as to serve as a drain for any superabundant moisture. This should be especially attended to for the winter standing crops, for which, likewise, if the soil or substratum is retentive, it is best to form an artificial bed by laying a foot in depth of mould on a bed of brickbats, stones, etc, as excessive moisture, in conjunction with excessive cold, is in general fatal to this plant. The situation should be open, and free from the influence of trees.

Time And Mode Of Solving

For a first crop about the middle of April, to be repeated in May, but only in small portions, as those which are raised before June, soon advance to seed. Towards the middle of this month the first main crop may be inserted; to be continued in the course of July, and lastly early in August; and in this month the main plantation is made. The seed is sown then in drills twelve inches apart, and about half an inch below the surface. The plants speedily make their appearance. When an inch in height they should be thinned to three or four inches apart: those taken away are too small to be of any service if pricked out. The bed must be kept clear of weeds from the first appearance of the plants until they are removed. To promote their arrival at a fit size for performing this operation, water should be given occasionally in dry weather.

When the larger seedlings have been transplanted, the smaller ones which remain may be cleared of weeds and have a gentle watering; by which treatment, in twelve or fourteen days, they will have attained a sufficient size to afford a second successional crop; and, by a repetition of this management, in general a third. The plants are generally fit for transplanting when of a month's growth in the seed-bed; but a more certain criterion is, that when of five or six inches' height they are of the most favourable size.

Planting

They must be set in rows twelve or fifteen inches apart each way: the Batavian requires the greatest space. Some gardeners recommend them to be set in trenches or drills three or four inches deep. This mode is not detrimental in summer and dry weather; but in winter, when every precaution is to be adopted for the prevention of decay, it is always injurious.

Water must be given moderately every evening uutil the plants are established, after which it is not at all requisite, except in excessive and protracted drought. Those which arc left in the seed-bed, if the soil is at all favourable, in general attain a finer growth than those that have been moved. In November some plants that have attained nearly their full size may be removed to the south side of a sloping bank of dry light earth, raised one or two feet behind: to be protected by 14 frames, mats, or thick coverings of litter, during severe and very wet weather; but to be carefully uncovered during mild dry days. The plants, in this instance, are not required to be further apart than six or eight inches. This plan may be followed in open days during December and January, by which means a constant supply may be obtained. Instead of being planted in the above manner on a terrace, it is sometimes practised to take the plants on a dry day, and, the leaves being tied together, to lay them horizontally in the earth down to the tip of the leaves; this accelerates the blanching, but otherwise is far more subject to failure.

As the number necessary for a family is but small, but few should be planted at a time.