VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 305 



salt mixture with superphosphate of lime will supply most 

 of the inorganic elements required by spinach. Give them 

 an open situation. The earth should be well pulverized 

 before sowing, as fine tilth greatly promotes vigorous 

 growth. Spinach is propagated from seed so easily, and 

 is so valuable for winter greens, that no garden should be 

 without it. 



The first crop is sown at the South the first of October, 

 and in succession until winter sets in, and on the coast 

 through the winter months the sowings are continued. 

 At New York the first of September is the proper season. 

 For this crop the prickly is the hardiest, but the Flanders 

 and Lettuce-leaved are the best. Another sowing should 

 be made as soon as spring opens, and they may be 

 continued until the summer heats come on, when the 

 plants will quickly run to seed. Use the smooth-seeded 

 kinds for the later crops. 



Sow thinly in drills an inch deep, about fifteen inches 

 apart, or eighteen inches for the larger varieties. Sow in 

 moist weather, or if dry, water the seed in the drill before 

 covering, for if moisture be wanting during the early 

 stages of vegetation, not half the seed will come up. Thin 

 them by degrees, separating them at first only an inch or 

 two as the plants grow fit for use. Thinning should com- 

 mence when they attain four leaves an inch or so in 

 breadth. The plants must finally stand for the prickly 

 spinach, five inches, and the round leaf, eight inches in the 

 drill. Keep the rows frequently hoed and free from 

 weeds. Hoe in dry weather. Spinach kept clean and 

 thinned properly is not so liable to die out in winter. 

 During severe weather a thin covering of straw or ever- 

 green brush is essential for the protection of the winter 

 crop north of Washington, and is very beneficial south of 

 that point. Regular gathering greatly promotes the 

 health of the plants. The outer leaves only should be 

 used, leaving the centre uninjured to supply successive 



