296 SPINACEOUS PLANTS. 



be adopted, in the propagation of the dioecious kinds, when 

 male plants are required. 



All of the varieties, whether produced from seeds or by 

 parting the roots, will send up a flower-stalk in summer ; 

 and this it is necessary to cut out when first developed, in 

 order to render the leaves larger and more tender. 



The plants will require no special protection or care during 

 the winter, though a slight covering of strawy stable litter 

 may be applied after the forking over of the bed in the 

 autumn, just before the closing up of the ground. 



Use. It enters into most of the soups arid sauces for 

 which French cookery is so famed, and they preserve it in 

 quantities for winter use. It forms as prominent an article 

 in the markets of Paris as does Spinach in those of this 

 country ; and it has been asserted, that, amongst all the 

 recent additions to our list of esculent plants, we have not 

 one so wholesome, so easy of cultivation, or one that would 

 add so much to the sanitary condition of the community, 

 particularly of that class who live much upon salt pro- 

 visions. 



The species and varieties are as follow : 

 Alpine Sor- A new, perennial species, found upon the 



NIVALIS. Alps, near the line of perpetual snow. The 

 root-leaves are somewhat heart-shaped, thick, and fleshy ; 

 stem simple, with verticillate branches ; flower dioecious. 



It is one of the earliest as well as the hardiest of the 

 species, propagates more readily than Alpine plants in gen- 

 eral, and is said to compare favorably in quality with the 

 Mountain Sorrel or Patience Dock. 



Common Sor- This is a hardy perennial, with an erect, 



R. ACETOSA. branching stem, about two feet in height. The 



flowers, which are small, numerous, and of a reddish color, 



