PERENNIAL WELSH ONION 



477 



yielding no seed. This Onion is always multiplied by division of 

 the tufts, and with this exception its culture is exactly similar to 

 that of the ordinary variety. 



ORACHE 



Atriplex hortensis, L. Chenopodiacece. 



French, Arroche. German, Gartenmelde. Flemish and Dutch, Melde. Italian, Atreplice. 

 Spanish, Armuelle. Portuguese, Armolas. 



Native of Tartary. Annual. A plant with broad, arrow-shaped, 

 slightly crimped, soft, pliable leaves. Stems 5 to 6J ft. high, angular, 

 and furrowed; flowers apetalous, very small, green or red, according 

 to the variety ; seed flat, russet-coloured, surrounded by a leafy 

 membrane of a light yellow colour. The plant also produces 

 some seeds, which are black, small, and disc-shaped, without any 

 membranous appendage. These are not always fertile. Their 

 germinating power lasts for six years. 



CULTURE. The seed is sown, where the plants are to stand, 

 in the open ground in the beginning of March, usually in drills. 

 When the seedlings have made three or four leaves, they should 

 be thinned out, after which 

 they require no further at- 

 tention, except occasional 

 watering in very dry 

 weather. The plants bear 

 hot weather pretty well, 

 but soon run to seed, on 

 which account it is advis- 

 able to make successional 

 sowings from month to 

 month. 



USES. The leaves are 

 eaten boiled, like Spinach 

 or Sorrel, and are often 

 mixed with the latter to 

 modify its acidity. 



The following are the 

 three principal kinds of 

 Orache which are most 

 commonly cultivated in 

 France : 



White Orache.-This mite or Yellow Orache ' 



variety is more commonly grown than any other kind. The leaves 

 are a very pale green, almost yellow. 



Dark Red Orache. The stems and leaves of this variety are of 

 a dark red colour, which gives it a very distinct appearance. The 

 red colour disappears in cooking. 



