SPINACH 259 



SPINACH. MOUNTAIN. See Orach. 



SPINACH, NEW ZEALAND, sometimes called New 

 Zealand Ice-plant, is Tetragonia expansa, a hardy 

 annual plant which is vigorous in heat and is used as a 

 summer substitute for Spinach. It may be started 

 early under glass, or planted in the open when the 

 ground is fit, and when the plants are well established 

 they will continue to yield throughout the season, until 

 heavy frosts. Plants are often started in the open about 

 September 1, and taken under glass to force. The 

 parts used are the leaves and young tips, used as 

 greens. Given plenty of room, the plant is very pro- 

 ductive. There appears to be but one variety, and 

 insects and diseases are not troublesome. New Zealand 

 Spinach is one of our best summer pot-herbs, and 

 should be better known. 



Soil. Any good garden soil, preferably a medium 

 loam. It should have been previously heavily manured, 

 or dressed with a fertilizer rich in nitrogen. 



Distances. Two to four feet each way according to 

 the richness of the ground. Or sow in drills three feet 

 apart, and 



Thin to eighteen inches to two feet in the row. 



Depth of seed, one inch. 



Sow under glass in February or March, having 

 soaked the seed, as germination is slow. Transplant 

 into pots, do not allow to become pot-bound, harden 



