294 SPINACEOUS PLANTS. 



English Sea- The English Sea-beet is a dwarfish spread- 

 beet. 



ing or trailing plant, with numerous angular, 



leafy branches. The lower leaves are ovate, three or four 

 inches in length, dark green, waved on the margin, and of 

 thick, fleshy texture ; the upper leaves are smaller, and 

 nearly sessile. 



Sow in April, or May, in rows sixteen or eighteen inches 

 apart, and an inch in depth ; thin to twelve inches in the 

 rows. The leaves should not be cut from seedling plants 

 during the first season, or until the roots are well established. 



Irish Sea- This differs from the preceding variety in the 



greater size of its leaves, which are also of a 

 paler green ; the stems are not so numerous, and it appears 

 to be earlier in running to flower. The external differences 

 are, however, trifling ; but the flavor of this, when dressed, 

 is far superior to that of the last named. 



It requires the same treatment in cultivation as the Eng- 

 lish Sea-beet. 



SHEPHERD'S PURSE. 

 Thlaspi Bursa pastoris. 



A hardy, annual plant, growing naturally and abundantly 

 about gardens, road sides, and in waste places. The root- 

 leaves spread out from a common centre, are somewhat 

 recumbent, pinnatifid-toothed, and in good soil attain a 

 length of eight or ten inches ; the stem-leaves are oval, 

 arrow-shaped at the base, and rest closely upon the stalk. 

 When in blossom, the plant is from twelve to fifteen inches in 

 height ; the flowers are small, white, and four-petaled ; the 

 seeds are small, of a reddish-brown color, and retain their 

 vitality five years. 



Propagation and Cultivation. It is easily raised from 



