316 



The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



SPINACH BEET. 



Beta Cicla. 



THE Perpetual Spinach, or Spinach Beet, is grown for its 

 leaves, of which it produces a continuous supply in the 

 hottest summer, when true Spinach is difficult to obtain. The 

 leaves are boiled and minced like Spinach, for which it makes 

 a very satisfactory substitute, and indeed by many persons 

 Spinach Beet is considered to be superior to Spinach. It is 



grown in the same 

 way as the ordinary 

 beet, except that the 

 soil should be richer, 

 to promote an abun- 

 dant leaf growth, and 

 it need not be so 

 deeply dug. The 

 seed is sown in April, 

 and again at the end 

 of July to ensure a 

 supply until late in 

 the season. Sow in 

 rows 15in. apart, and 

 thin out to Sin. from 

 plant to plant. No 

 further attention is 

 then required beyond weeding and occasional watering. As 

 soon as the leaves are large enough they must be gathered, 

 even if not then wanted, so as to have a supply always young 

 and tender. The plants are moderately hardy, being able to 

 bear a few degrees of frost, and therefore continue to yield in 

 the open ground until late in the season. When a supply is 

 wanted through the winter the latest-sown roots may be lifted 

 and grown in a greenhouse or frame. 



Copyright, V. A. & Co. 



Spinach Beet. 



