82 buist's family kitchen gardener. 



moisture is indispensable to its growth. It should always be 

 cut when about an inch high, using a sharp knife, and cut- 

 ting close to the ground, holding the tops in one hand whilst 

 the knife is used with the other. They should be carefully 

 washed from earth or sand, allowing them u. be as short time 

 in the water as possible ; neither should they be gathered long 

 before using, for their flavor would be thereby impaired. As 

 much of this seed is generally required, a portion should be 

 sown very early to produce it. A bed three feet wide and 

 twenty feet long, having the plants four or six inches apart, 

 will produce a sufficiency of seed for every domestic purpose. 



NEW ZEALAND SPINACH. 



^ Tctragdnia ezpdnsa. — Epinard d^ete^ Fr. 



The great advantage this Spinach possesses over the other 

 varieties is that of supplying a crop of leaves in the dryest 

 weather, when crops of other sorts have failed. From its ra- 

 pidity of growth, a few dozen of plants will afford a supply 

 during its growing season. If a few leaves of Sorrel are boiled 

 with it, the flavor is improved. 



Culture. — It is a spreading, towering plant, growing in a 

 circular form, attaining the height of four or five feet. Sow 

 the seed very thinly, in rows one inch deep and two feet apart, 

 about the first week of April, in an open, rich piece of ground. 

 Hoe freely and keep clean of weeds. The seeds, in a green 

 state, make an excellent pickle, for which alone it is worth cul- 

 tivation. 



NASTURTIUM.— /S'ee Indian Cress. 



