GARDEN AND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18536, 5 April 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

GARDEN AND

SHRUBBERY CULTURE OF ENDIVE USEFUL SALAD CROP. A very useful crop to take the place of lettuce as a salad is endive, and the culture of this plant should be more extensively attempted by amateurs as its uses are several. During the late autumn and winter this crop is most useful as a salad in place of lettuce, but it may also be used to provide a change at other times as well, i.e., if the gardener grows tired of lettuce and would like a change. The present is the time to sow endive and sowings may be continued at intervals of four weeks or so for some time to come. Where one does not readily tire of lettuce the commencement of the sowing may be delayed for a while until the end of the lettuce season, but the value of endive will be fully appreciated during the winter when it is more difficult to grow lettuce successfully. The -secret of a crisp, tender lettuce is that it must be grown in as short a time as possible. Quick development is also desirable in the case of endive but this crop appears to be able to make more rapid development in the winter than lettuce can. The soil for endive crops should be prepared by being worked thoroughly and having some enriching material incorporated in it. The drainage of the soil is an important matter with a crop that is to be in the ground during the late autumn or winter months, and so deep working is an essential item to be attended to when the plot is being prepared. Compost is as good as anything to work in for this crop, and may be used in liberal quantities. . The seed may be sown in drills I in. deep and 15in. apart.