348 The Principles of Vegetable -Gardening 



brought to early maturity in the North under glass on a 

 rather large scale, but of late years it is grown in such 

 quantities about Norfolk and other parts of the South 

 that it is seldom grown in frames in the North except 

 for home use. 



The early spring spinach is grown from seeds that 

 are sown in the field in September. The land should be 

 rich; also well drained, that the plants may not "heave" 

 by frost. It is customary to plow the land into low 

 ridges or beds 6-9 feet wide, in order to secure perfect 

 surface drainage. Lengthwise these beds the spinach is 

 sown in rows 12-18 inches apart, the distance depending 

 on the means that are employed for tillage. The plants 

 should become thoroughly established before winter, 

 having made a spread of leaves of three or four inches 

 at least. The crop is usually left uncovered in the 

 North, even as far north as *New York state; although 

 if material is at hand, it may be covered lightly with 

 straw or litter to prevent heaving and thawing. On the 

 first opening of spring the spinach resumes growth. In 

 fact, in mild seasons it may grow throughout most of 

 the winter. It should be ready for use in April and 

 May, and be off the ground early in June, even in the 

 northern states, leaving the land for other crops. In the 

 South it is marketed from late November to March and 

 early April. Since spinach is prized for its crisp, ten- 

 der leaves, it is a crop that profits by an application 

 of soluble nitrogenous fertilizers. It is customary, in 

 some parts of the country, to sprinkle the ground early 

 in the spring with a weak solution of nitrate of soda or 

 sulfate of ammonia, using from 50-75 pounds of the 



