NEW ZEALAND SPINACH. 199 



all times of the year, sometimes every week or fort- 

 night. It can be either sown in a bed or border of 

 light earth, or in shallow drills, very thick, covering 

 it very thinly with the same sort of mould ; and 

 in winter, and early in spring, during cold weather, 

 in slight hot beds. It often happens, when this 

 herb is sown in spring, in the open ground, that it 

 is caught with sharp hoary frosts towards morning. 

 When that is the case, a little sprinkling of water 

 before sun-rise, will prevent any ill effects which 

 sometimes follow from the heat afterwards. 



The herbs are always cut for use whilst in the 

 seed-leaf, and but a few days old ; otherwise they 

 become too strong, and are rank and ill-flavoured. 



38. NEW ZEALAND SPINACH. 

 TETRAGONJ A. 



This plant was named Tetragonia, from the 

 horned shape of its seed-pods ; and Expansa, from 

 its spreading growth. 



It is a native of New Zealand, and was intro- 

 duced into this country by Sir Joseph Banks in 

 1772, and afterwards principally brought into notice 

 by Mr. John Anderson, gardener to the Earl of 

 Essex, at Cashiobury Park. 



The great advantage it possesses is, that of sup- 

 plying fresh leaves in the driest weather, when the 

 crops of summer spinach are useless. From its 

 rapidity of growth in producing leaves, three or 

 four plants have been found sufficient to give a 

 constant and plentiful supply throughout the season. 



It is a spreading plant, with numerous branches, 

 o 4? 



