8P1NAGE. SQUASH. 283 



The stems are the parts used, and these peeled, 

 washed, and treated in the manner of apples, by 

 stewing, and the addition of spices, make excellent 

 pies, tarts, &c. The growth may be much forward- 

 ed in the spring by placing a barrel or box over 

 them, and piling stable manure around the outside. 

 A few good roots will furnish a supply for a family, 

 at a time when other green articles for pies are dif- 

 ficult to be obtained. 



spiNAGE. Spmacia. 



For summer use, sow in April ; for fall use, in Au- 

 gust ; and for spring use, in September. Spinage is 

 a very hardy plant, and, sown late, it will live through 

 the winter if covered with straw, salt hay, or cedar 

 brush during the most severe weather. By this 

 course early and good crops can be obtained. The 

 difficulty with spring-sown plants is their propensity 

 to run to seed and become worthless in hot weather. 

 The seed may be sown broadcast or in drills ; but 

 the ground must be rich, and kept clean by frequent 

 hoeing. There are several varieties of this plant, 

 of which the large round-leaved is considered the 

 best, being hardy and productive. The New-Zeal- 

 and Spinage, Teiragona expansa, is of late introduc- 

 tion, but promises to be a useful vegetable. Its 

 growth is luxuriant, and a space of two or three feet 

 in the best soils may be left between the plants. It 

 endures the summer heat better than the common 

 varieties, and should therefore be sown in the spring 

 in hills, two or three seeds together. 



Spinage is one of the best of potherbs, and may 

 be boiled in clear water, drained, salted, and butter- 

 ed to the taste, or boiled with meat, as other greens 

 usually are. As one of the earliest cultivated plants, 

 il deserves a place in every garden. 



PQUASH. Cucurbila Melopepo. 

 Tne souasnes best deserving of cultivation are the 



