PATIENCE 



PATIENCE (Rumex patientia) is by no means a popular 

 plant in this country, but one that will grow when 

 Spinach fails. It will grow in almost any soil, but pre- 

 fers one that is moist. A hardy perennial and a native 

 of Italy, in that country 

 it is still a favourite on 

 account of its free growth 

 and the enormous quan- 

 tities of leafage it gives. 

 When allowed to run wild 

 or to ripen seed, there is a 

 great difficulty in getting 

 rid of this plant ; indeed 

 I would not advise its cul- 

 ture unless it is used in a 

 young state and the plants 

 thrown away when they 

 begin to form seed ; cut 

 over frequently, the plants 

 throw out a large number 

 of young leaves. It is 

 easily raised from seed sown in the spring, and there 

 should be ample space 2 feet between the rows and 12 

 inches between the plants. There should be no delay 

 in cutting down the seed stems, as when these form the 

 plant will not furnish leaves freely, the stems being 

 robust and growing to several feet in height. The edible 

 portion is the young leaves, and these are used like 

 Spinach. Older writers advise a fourth part of Sorrel to 



77 



HERB PATIENCE, OR PATIENCE DOCK 

 (One -thirtieth natural size) 



