SEAKALE 199 



nice rich sandy mould has been worked in between 

 them, and also over them to a depth of 2 or 3 in. 

 A covering with straw, leaves, or litter completes 

 the work, and shoots may be cut at the end of 

 eighteen or twenty days. 



Seakale may also be forced in warm cellars at the 

 same period. The crowns are lifted, cleaned, and 

 planted on a few inches of rich mould, and are after- 

 wards covered 2 or 3 in. deep with the same 

 compost. More or less water is necessary, according 

 to the dryness or humidity of the atmosphere, and 

 at the end of three or four weeks shoots will be 

 ready for cutting. 



SPINACH 



The Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an annual plant, 

 native of Persia, whence it was introduced to Spain 

 in the middle of the sixteenth century by the Arabs. 

 According as to whether the seeds (really the " fruits ") 

 are "prickly" or "smooth," two distinct kinds of 

 Spinach are recognised, each with several varieties 

 all highly valued for their soft bright green leaves. 



At one time French gardeners used to grow Spinach 

 on hot-beds, on which young plants were pricked out 

 about 4 in. apart in November, so as to be ready for 

 gathering from December to March. This system of 

 forced cultivation is, however, no longer adopted or 

 rarely practised. I have, however, seen young plants 

 lifted from the open ground in February or early in 

 March. All the leaves were cut off, and the plants 

 thus mutilated were placed in frames between Gotte 

 Lettuces that were nearing maturity on the top of 



