NEW ZEALAND SPINACH 281 



should have from six to nine inches space in the row and should be 

 kept free from, encroachment of weeds. To keep the soil from 

 packing by rains, and to push the plants as well, a top dressing of 

 fine manure may be placed to be leached out by the rains. In a 

 garden with permanent walks, spinach may be sown as a border 

 plant, which brings it within easy reach for the frequent plucking 

 of leaves. The plants will endure this, and by means of new growth 

 on old plants and successive sowings, it is feasible, as above stated, 

 to have spinach always ready. The variety chiefly used is the 

 "Large Prickly," although the "Long Standing" is also esteemed 

 because of its long leaf growth before sending up seed stems. The 

 Round of Summer is also considerably used. 



For greens in the hot and dry summer and dry autumn, the 

 New Zealand spinach is making a fine record in California. It was 

 introduced and widely distributed by the State University, and has 

 been handled for years by the California seedsmen on the basis of 

 its local suitability. Even in interior situations it grows on dry 

 ground all summer, and maintains rich green color until frost kills 

 the top growth. The stems and foliage are very sensitive to frost, 

 but the root is more hardy and gives new growth and is useful in 

 the spring. The plant sends out shoots of considerable length 

 which may be cut off for cooking. Its tenderness and flavor are 

 vouched for by many growers. Early summer cutting may be had 

 by starting plants with bottom heat and planting out like egg plants, 

 but in our long summer, sowing in the spring after frost danger is 

 over, gives abundant foliage in late summer and autumn. 



