The Culture of Vegetables 



as bitter, sooty, and nauseous. Probably an equal number of persons 

 entertain a very high opinion as to its value. The rest of mankind 

 proclaim it a wholesome, savoury, and acceptable vegetable. Spinach 

 will grow anywhere and anyhow ; but some little management is 

 needed to keep up a constant supply of large, dark green leaves, 

 that when properly cooked will be rich in flavour as the result of 

 good cultivation. 



To produce first-class Spinach we need a well-tilled rich loam, 

 but a capital sample may be grown on clay that has been some time 

 in cultivation. The early sowings of Round or Summer Spinach 

 should be in a sheltered situation, but not directly shaded. Sow in 

 drills one foot apart, and one inch deep, beginning in January, 

 although the first sowing may fail, and continue to sow about every 

 fortnight until the middle of May. The earliest sowing should be on 

 dry ground, but the later sowings will do well on damp ground with 

 a little shade from the midday sun. It is important to thin the crop 

 early, as it should not be in the least drawn. This is the only essen- 

 tial point in securing a fine growth, for if the plant cannot spread from 

 the beginning it will never become luxuriant, and will soon run up to 

 seed. Thin at first to six inches, and if large enough for use, send 

 the thinnings into the house. Thin finally and before the leaves 

 overlap to twelve inches. Every plant will cover the space, and it 

 will suffice to take the largest leaves, two or three only from each plant, 

 and thus a basket may be filled in a few 'minutes with really fine 

 Spinach. 



As the heat of the summer increases, the crop will be inclined 

 to bolt. The starved plant will bolt first ; the plant in rich moist 

 soil, with plenty of room to spread, will be more leisurely about 

 it, and will give time for the production of a succession crop to take 

 its place. The sowings from May to August should be small and 

 numerous, and on rich moist land, to be aided, if needful, with water. 

 In many gardens there is a sufficient variety of vegetables after the 

 middle of June to render it unnecessary to keep up the supplies of 

 Spinach, and it is best to dispense with it, if possible, during July 

 and August. 



The sowing of Winter Spinach should commence in July, and be 

 continued until the end of September, subject to the capabilities of 

 the place. In gardens near towns, where the land is at all heavy, it 

 is generally useless to sow after August, as the autumnal fogs are 

 likely to destroy a plant that is only just out of the seed-leaf. But in 

 favoured localities, with a warm soil and a soft air, the seed may be 



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