336 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



the seed is good it may be thinly sown, for the plants 

 should not be allowed to crowd each other. They 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 Stand- 

 ing" is also esteemed because of its long leaf growth be- 

 fore sending up seed stems. The Round or 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 Cali- 

 fornia. It has been widely distributed by the State Uni- 

 versity. 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. 



