396 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



Spinach requires a very rich soil and plenty of well- 

 rotted manure. To secure the best results from early 

 spring sowings, it will pay those raising it for market to 

 use nitrate of soda on the land in small quantities, say two 

 applications at the rate of seventy-five pounds per acre at 

 intervals of two weeks after the crop has started. This 

 material has a wonderful effect on early leaf crops. Where 

 nitrate of soda is not used, hen manure is very desirable. 

 The effect of nitrate of soda on this crop is very marked and 

 often results in more than doubling its size. Spinach gen- 

 erally is very free from insects and fungous diseases. 



Varieties. There are a number of varieties of spinach, 

 differing in earliness, hardiness, and in the time they 

 remain in the edible condition, as well as in many minor 

 matters. Among the best are the following: 



Long Standing, an excellent sort for spring and summer 

 sowing, since it stands longer than any other sort before 

 going to seed. 



Prickly, or Winter, a prickly seed variety that is very 

 popular. It will withstand very severe weather without 

 serious injury if lightly protected by hay or straw, and is 

 probably the best sort for autumn planting in this section. 



Bloomsdale, a nice hardy sort with long, curled leaves 

 of excellent quality. Very hardy. 



THE CABBAGE FAMILY (Order Cruciferae) 



The Cabbage Family is made up of herbaceous plants 

 having watery juice, a pungent (peppery) taste, and floral 

 envelopes arranged on the plan of four, with their petals 

 generally spread out in the form of a cross. Stamens six, 

 two of which are shorter than the other four. Seed all 

 embryo. This is a large family and, besides the cabbage, 

 includes cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohl-rabi, 



