236 THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



a good start at the beginning of the season. It should be 

 planted in rows about a foot apart, and the soil between be 

 frequently tilled to prevent the growth of weeds. The young 

 seedlings should be thinned to three or four inches apart in 

 the rows, so that each may have room to develop into a good- 

 sized plant. An abundance of moisture will hasten the 

 growth, as will also the application of nitrate of soda or 

 liquid manure. 



Spinach is an especially good crop for the school garden, 

 wherever sufficient ground is available, because it can be 

 sown so early in the spring and will be ready for harvest 

 before the close of school. In many localities, the leaves 

 are badly injured by the leaf maggot, which in northern 

 regions usually does not show its injury until about the first 

 of June, consequently the first crop is likely to escape injury 

 by this pest. 



Spinach may also be sown late in summer or early in 

 autumn, with the expectation of harvesting the crop before 

 winter sets in. Consequently, it is a good plant to try in the 

 garden when school opens in September. Still later, fall sow- 

 ings may be made, and the plants covered early in November 

 with a protecting mulch to enable them to survive the winter. 

 This mulch should be removed early in spring and the crop 

 should be ready for harvesting much sooner than the spring- 

 sown crop. Spinach is also an excellent plant for carrying 

 through the winter in cold-frames. 



The varieties of spinach are commonly classed under two 

 headings, according to the character of the seed. The round- 

 seeded varieties are able better to withstand summer heat, 

 and are commonly grown for spring use. Victoria is one of 

 the best sorts in this group. The prickly seeded varieties are 



