NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 4! 



to a depth of about a foot. As soon as the flower stems 

 begin to appear, all covering should be removed and the 

 plants allowed to grow, removing all blooming shoots as 

 they appear. Sea-Kale may also be forced by taking up a 

 supply of old roots and stowing them thickly in the corner 

 of any outhouse or stable, and filling in with light soil and 

 litter, and watered occasionally. In this way several ex- 

 cellent cuttings may be obtained in the early Spring. Let 

 the roots be stowed as described any time from May till July. 



Spinach. The Round-Leaved (or Summer) and 

 Prickly-Seeded (or Winter) are the best varieties. Spinach 

 prefers a light, friable loam, enriched with well-decomposed 

 manure. Make a first sowing of the Round-Leaved in 

 August or September, to be continued every three weeks 

 until the end of October. Sow in drills eighteen inches 

 apart, covering the seed half-an-inch. Sow the Prickly or 

 Winter Spinach in February. The outer leaves only 

 should be gathered at a time, the centre being left unin- 

 jured to produce successional crops. This direction applies 

 chiefly to the Winter standing crops ; those of the Summer 

 may be cut off close to the roots. Successional sowings will 

 only be necessary where large supplies are required. One 

 ounce will sow sixty feet. 



Spinach, New Zealand. This plant is sometimes 

 used as a substitute for Summer spinach it is not, however, 

 recommended. The seed may be sown in September or 

 October, in drills three feet apart, in rich soil, and thin out 

 to two feet apart. A dozen or twenty plants will afford an 

 abundant daily supply for a considerable period. It will be 

 ready for use in five or six weeks after sowing. 



Sage thrives in any light, friable soil. It is propagated 

 by cuttings of the preceding or same year's growth ; if of 

 last year's growth, plant in October ; but, if of the latter, 

 not until December. The most robust shoots should be 

 chosen, and cut six inches in length ; all but the top leaves 

 being removed. Plant in rows six inches apart, four inches 

 deep, in a border facing south, chosing showery weather. 



Thyme. Broad-leaved Green, Narrow-leaved Green, 

 and Lemon-scented. Thyme thrives best on rather poor 

 :soil. Propagate by taking up an old plant and divide into 



