ICE-PLANT 



139 



Renew the plants by division, or at least root-prune, 

 every three or four years. 



ICE-PLANT (Mesembryanthemum crystallmum) is 

 sometimes called Dew -plant, on account of the glisten- 

 ing spots on its foliage. The plant is perennial, but 

 tender, and is best used as an annual. It thrives in 



Fig. 66. Ice-Plant. One-fourth natural size. 



heat and stands drought well. It is used like spinach 

 but is chiefly regarded as a curiosity. New Zealand Ice- 

 plant is New Zealand Spinach, which see under S. 



Soil. Light and quick. 



Distances. Rows one foot apart ; thin the plants 

 to six inches or more in the row. 



Depth. Shallow. 



Sow under glass in April, and set out in late May. 

 Sow in the open, late in May, or early in June. 



Pick the leaves as wanted when once the plant is 



