color, and
rest closely in the axils of the leaves; the seeds are small, long,
angular, and of a grayish color; their germinative properties are
retained for ten years; nearly twenty-five thousand are contained in an
ounce.

_Soil._--All of the varieties thrive well in any good, mellow garden
soil. Where there is a choice of situations, select one in which the
plants will be the least exposed to the effects of drought and heat.

_Propagation._--The plants can be raised only from seed. This may be
sown where the plants are to remain; or it may be sown broadcast, or in
close drills in a nursery-bed for transplanting. If sown where the
plants are to remain, sow thinly in shallow drills a foot apart for the
smaller, curled varieties, and fifteen inches for the larger,
broad-leaved sorts. Thin out the plants to a foot asunder as soon as
they are large enough to handle, and keep the ground about them, as well
as between the rows, loose, and free from weeds, by repeated hoeings. If
required, the plants taken out in thinning may be reset in rows at the
same distances apart.

If sown in a nursery-bed, transplant when the young plants have eight or
ten leaves; setting them at the distances before directed. This should
be done at morning or evening; and the plants should afterwards be
watered and shaded for a few days, until they are well established.

The first sowing may be made as early in spring as the weather will
permit; and a sowing may be made a month or six weeks after, for a
succession: but as it is for use late in autumn, or during the winter
and spring, that Endive is most required, the later sowings are the most
important. These are usually made towards the end of July.

_Blanching._--Before using, the plants must be blanched; which is
performed in various ways. The common method is as follows: When the
root-leaves have nearly attained their full size, they are taken when
entirely dry, gathered together into a conical form, or point, at the
top, and tied together with matting, or any other soft, fibrous
material; by which means, the large, outer leaves are made to blanch the
more tender ones towards the heart of the plant.

After being tied in this manner, the plants are sometimes blanched by
earthing, as practised with Celery or Cardoons. This process is
recommended for dry and warm seasons: but in cold, wet weather, they are
liable to decay at the heart; and blanching-pots, or, in the absence of
these, common