Cultural Directions. — 297 



an early spring crop for shipping to the north. Within reason- 

 able distance from New Yori< city and Philadelphia spinach is 

 largely grown in cold-frames and forcing houses, and usually 

 affords the grower very fair returns. For fuller information on 

 .this point see the respective chapters. 



As early in spring as we can get the ground in working 

 order, we begin outdoor culture by sowing seed in drills in the 

 usual way, and in very rich and well-prepared soil. Nitrate of 

 soda, applied in small and repeated doses, tends to produce large fol- 

 iage. Use the hand wheel-hoe freely, and keep the ground free from 

 weeds. When ready for gathering, run a sharp scuffle or push hoe 

 along the rows under the plants, thus cutting them off close to 

 the ground. They are then picked up, freed from dead and 

 decaying leaves, and washed clean, when they are ready for use 

 or market. For longer distances, spinach is usually packed in 

 barrels, haying openings in bottom and sides. In many market 

 gardens spinach is sown 

 as a secondary or auxiliary 

 crop between rows of early 

 cabbages, etc. It comes 

 off in time to give the cab- 

 bages the needed space. 

 For fall market, seed is 

 sown in August, for win- 

 ter and earliest spring 

 crops, in September and 

 early October. Make the ■!S553««»c==-— — -==^ 



land very rich, using the 

 best of compost freely. Top dressings of poultry manure and 

 nitrate of soda seldom fail to increase the yield largely, and some- 

 times immensely. 



Plant in drills one foot apart, using seed very freely (twelve 

 or fifteen pounds to the acre), and firming it very thorougkly. 

 At this time of the year it is often so hot and dry, that seeds 

 refuse to germinate, unless extra precaution is taken in sowing. 

 Keep the ground well cultivated and free from weeds. Should 

 the plants come very thick, they may be thinned late in October 

 or in November, and the thinnings used or sold. The main 

 crop usually winters over without loss, but in exposed situations 

 should be lightly covered with coarse litter or leaves. The crop 

 is cut and marketed in early spring. 



VARIETIES. 



We have now quite a number of varieties, varying slightly 

 in habit of growth, and formation of leaf 



Round-Leaf. — Very popular with market gardeners on 

 account of its great hardiness. 



