140 FAKM-GARDEXING AND SEED-GKOWING. 



may be exposed the entire winter, except in very cold 

 localities, where a thin covering of coarse straw late in 

 the fall will be beneficial, and which should be removed 

 quite early in the spring. Use the push-hoe as soon as 

 the rows can be seen, and later give a deep hoeing, which 

 repeat again early in spring, thoroughly pulverizing the 

 soil. 



Marketing. It will be marketable when the inner 

 leaves have become considerably grown ; then the larger 

 plants may be cut out with a knife, and later the crop may 

 be cut indiscriminately, by running a push-hoe under the 

 rows, always cutting so as to have all the leaves attached 

 to a small part of the root. The decayed ends of leaves 

 must be cut away, after which wash and place in barrels, 

 with holes at the bottom, and for long distances it will be 

 advisable to drain out well before packing. 



Seed. Much spinach seed is imported, but the Ameri- 

 can-grown is considered to produce the most hardy plants, 

 and hence is preferred by market-gardeners. It should 

 invariably be sown in the fall to produce good seed, and 

 otherwise grown as for market. 



When the seed is ripe, which may be known by its 

 changing from green to brown, and the leaves drying 

 away, the stalks must be pulled, laid in rows for a day to 

 dry, and thrashed. It ripens irregularly, and two gather- 

 ings will be necessary. After thrashing, rake away the 

 stalks, and pass the seed twice through the fan-mill. A 

 considerable portion will be in clusters of five or six seeds, 

 which may be separated by rubbing through No. 5 sieve. 

 Again pass through the fan-mill, clean with No. 14 sieve, 

 and place in a loft on cloths to dry, before storing. The 

 seed retains its vitality two years. 



Varieties. The varieties are few, and that known as 

 the Round-leaved is the one in general cultivation. 



