SPINACH. 581 



liable to degenerate to those species from which they 

 originated. 



69. SPINACH. 



Spinacia oleracea, or Garden Spinach, is an annual 

 plant, and appears to have been cultivated with us ever 

 since 1568 ; of its native country nothing certain is 

 known. 



The varieties at present cultivated are, 



1. Prickly-seeded. 3. Flanders Spinach. 

 Bordeaux. Epinard de Flandres % 



2. Round-seeded. tres largesfeuilles. 



The first sort is that which is sown in autumn for 

 winter and spring use, and is often termed Winter 

 Spinach. The second sort is that which is sown in 

 spring and summer, but which will not survive our 

 severe winters. 



The third sort is a winter Spinach, the seed of which 

 was sent from M. Vilmorin, of Paris, to the Horticul- 

 tural Society of London, and is far superior to the 

 Prickly or Common Winter Spinach, which is in general 

 cultivation during the winter season in our gardens. It 

 is equally hardy, perhaps hardier. 



The leaves are doubly hastate, and somewhat rugose ; 

 the lower ones measure from twelve to fourteen inches 

 in length, and from six to eight in breadth ; they 

 are not only larger, but thicker, and more succulent 

 than those of the first sort. The whole plant grows 

 more bushy, and produces a greater number of leaves 

 from each root, and it is somewhat later in running to 

 seed. The seeds are like those of the Round or Summer 

 Spinach, but larger : they are destitute of the prickles 

 which distinguish the seeds of the Prickly Spinach. 



The seeds of this, like those of the first sort, should 

 be sown in August ; and when the plants have acquired 



p p 3 



