KITCHEN GARDEN. 213 



SPINACH (Spinachia). Of this there are but two 

 known species, the Fera and the Oleracea ; the one 

 a native of Siberia,* the other of Persia.ft It is the 

 latter only that is known in garden culture, and of 

 it there are four varieties, distinguished by the 

 shape of their seeds, and the greater or less abun- 

 dance and size of their leaves, as follows : Spinach 

 with sharp-pointed seeds and small leaves : spinach 

 with round seeds and small leaves; spinach with 

 pointed seeds and large leaves ; and spinach with 

 round seeds and large leaves, commonly called 

 spinach of Holland. The first of these varieties is 

 recommended by its hardiness ; as it stands the win- 

 ter better than either of the others, and is, of course, 

 to be preferred for fall sowing. The third gives 

 most foliage, and is fittest for spring culture. The 

 fourth unites, in a great degree, the advantages of 

 the first and third, bearing the winter well, and pro- 

 ducing an abundance of foliage. If, therefore, we 

 cultivate but one of these varieties, this is the one 

 which we ought to prefer. The soil most proper 

 for spinach is a moist, rich loam, well dug and well 

 manured. The seed should be sown in drills six 

 inches apart, and lightly covered. For fall sowing 

 the middle of October is a good time ; and for the 

 spring crop the seed should' be sown the moment 

 you are able to get it into the earth. To the for- 

 mer a light covering of straw, during the winter, 

 will be useful. According to the opinion of the 

 French physicians, this plant is not only food, but 

 physic ; and is hence emphatically called " Le balai 

 de 1'estomac" the broom of the stomach sweep- 

 ing and deterging every hole and corner of that or- 

 gan, without giving pain, or in any degree inter- 



* Phyt. Univer., art. Epinard. -f Olivier. 



J The New-Zealand spinach has been recently introduced. 

 It is an excellent pot-herb ; but, being natural to a warmer cli- 

 mate, it does not come forward till warm weather, and until 

 other garden productions are in abundance. J. B. 



