SORREL. 295 



seed, which should be sown, in May, where the plants are to 

 remain. Sow in shallow drills twelve or fourteen inches 

 apart, and cover with fine mould. Thin the young plants to 

 four inches asunder, and treat the growing crop in the usual 

 manner during the summer. Late in autumn cover the bed 

 with coarse stable-litter, and remove it the last of February. 

 In March and April the plants will be ready for the table. 



Use. It is used as Spinach, and has a mild, pleasant 

 flavor, not unlike that of Broccoli or the Cauliflower. Un- 

 der high cultivation the plants sometimes attain a diameter 

 of nearly twenty inches. Blanched and served as Endive, 

 it makes an agreeable early salad. 



In April and May it may be gathered, growing sponta- 

 neously about cultivated lands, and, though not so excellent 

 as the cultivated plants, will yet be found of good quality. 



SORREL. 

 Rumex, sp. et var. 



Sorrel is a hardy perennial. The species, as well as vari- 

 eties, differ to a considerable extent in height and general 

 habit ; yet their uses and culture are nearly alike. 



Soil and Cultivation. All of the sorts thrive best in rich, 

 moist soil, but may be grown in almost any soil or situation. 

 The seeds are sown, in April or May, in drills fifteen or 

 eighteen inches apart, and covered half an inch in depth. 

 The young plants should be thinned to twelve inches apart ; 

 and in July and August the leaves will be sufficiently large 

 for gathering. 



The finest sorts are obtained from seedlings, which 

 often vary to a considerable extent in the size and form of 

 the leaves, as well as in their general habit. These varieties 

 are propagated by dividing the roots, and this method must 



