LEADING VEGETABLE CROPS 221 



pends upon rapid, vigorous growth, impossible with- 

 out large quantities of available plant food. Well- 

 rotted stable manures are especially valuable and 

 fertilizers high in nitrogen are also used very profit- 

 ably. The fall sowing should be made from the 

 middle to the last of September. From 25 to 30 

 pounds of seed are required per acre. Sowing is 

 usually done with the common seed drill in rows 

 from 12 to 15 inches apart. 



In harvesting, the plants are trimmed of their dead 

 leaves before packing for market. It is a common 

 practice to throw the land for spinach into broad 

 beds, carrying from six to eight rows. A space or 

 back furrow from 18 to 24 inches is left between the 

 beds for drainage and convenience of the workers. 



The green fly is the worst pest of the spinach. 

 Plants making a slow unsatisfactory growth are 

 almost certain to be attacked by this insect. Great 

 care should be taken to avoid checks in growth, for 

 once infected it is very difficult to eradicate the 

 insects. Kerosene emulsion proves a very effective 

 remedy, but it is much cheaper and easier to pre- 

 vent the difficulty by providing the proper condi- 

 tions for rapid and continuous growth. 



Rust is a common disease, usually attacking the 

 winter crop and associated with unsatisfactory con- 

 ditions for normal growth, such as late planting and 

 severe winters. Rust is indicated by stunted growth 

 and yellowish spots on stems and leaves. Plants 

 are seldom killed by rust, but the extra trimming 

 required before they can be satisfactorily prepared 

 for market, together with the lessened yield secured, 

 usually make attacked areas unprofitable. Proper 

 preparation of the soil, early planting and good cul- 

 tivation generally avoid the difficulty. 



