Cichorium intybus. Although this hardy perennial plant is much used on the Continent in salads, yet it has never been employed to any extent for that purpose in Britain.

Sowing And Situation

Like endive, for the main crops it requires a rich light soil, and for the earlier sowings a moist-er one, in every instance having an open situation allotted to it.

Sowing must be annually; for, although it is a perennial, yet, after being cut from two or three times, the radical leaves become bitter and worthless. Mr. Oldaker says, it should be sown at the end of June, or early in July; but L'Quintinye recommends it to be performed in the beginning of March; and it may be performed, for successive crops, between the two periods mentioned by the above writers, in the same manner as endive, and also like that salad herb in small portions at a time, the earliest sowings being very liable to run to seed. Sow moderately thick, in the same manner as endive, the directions for cultivating which are equally applicable in every other particular.

Cultivation

When the plants begin to cover the ground, they are thinned to ' nine inches apart; and those removed planted out at similar distances. They require to be kept very clear of weeds; and if the leaves grow very luxuriant, and shade the roots much, they must be cut off within an inch of the ground. Those grown from sowings antecedent to June, when of nearly full growth, which they arrive at in about four months from the insertion of the seed, must have all their leaves trimmed away, so as not to injure their hearts, and then covered over thick with sand, ashes, or long litter. By this treatment, those fresh leaves which are produced become etiolated and crisp, losing their bitterness. Those which arise from the sowings of June and July, must, at the end of September, or early in October, be raised, and planted very close, by the dibble, in pots or boxes, having their leaves trimmed as before directed, and their roots shortened previous to planting. Water must be given moderately in dry weather, until they are established, and shelter, if frosts occur, by a light covering of litter. When well rooted they may be removed into the cellar, or other place, where the light can be completely excluded from them, to blanch for use as wanted, which change will be effected in six or seven days.

Succory will bear a temperature of 60°, but thrives better in a rather lower one.

If the roots are vigorous, they will bear cutting from two or three times, after winch they are unproductive.

To obtain Seed, a few plants must be left in the open ground of the June sowing; they bear the severity of winter without protection, and shoot up in the spring, running to seed about May.