SPINACH. 351 



apart. Sow rather thickly. Cover the plants with two 

 or three inches of hay or leaves on the approach of severe 

 frost in December. When sown in the fall, the crop, of 

 course, is ready for use much earlier than when sown 

 in the spring, as half the growth is made in the fall 

 months. By the time the seed can be sown in the 

 spring, the crop that has been wintered over will be com- 

 ing into use. To follow the crop thus wintered, seeds 

 should be sown in the same manner in the spring, as 

 early as the soil can be worked, and another sowing may 

 be made two weeks later. The variety known as Savoy- 

 leaved is best for winter, and Thick-leaved for spring. 

 About four ounces are enough for ordinary wants for 

 either season's sowing. 



SPINACH, SUBSTITUTES FOR. 



In the southern states, or even in our northern sum- 

 mers, Spinach runs rapidly to seed if sown in hot 

 weather, and several plants may be used as substitutes. 

 Among these are Swiss Chard, a species of Beet, some- 

 times called Spinach Beet, or Perpetual Spinach. Young 

 plants of the ordinary Beet are by some preferred to 

 Spinach. Ordinarily Beets need thinning, and the seed is 

 sometimes sown very thickly, in order that there may be 

 an abundance of thinnings to use as Spinach, or Beet 

 greens. They are used with the young Beet attached, 

 which should not be thicker than an ordinary lead pencil. 

 If larger, the leaves will be too strong. Another substi- 

 tute is 



NEW ZEALAND SPINACH {Tetragonia ezpansa). 



This is a remarkable plant, of low, branching habit, and 

 grows with surprising luxuriance during hot weather. 

 Single plants often spread from five to eight feet in 

 diameter. The leaves are used exactly as ordinary Spin- 

 ach. The seed should not be sown before warm weather 



