SPINACH. 257 



manure should he heaped to such a depth as to generate a heat 

 of between fifty and sixty degrees, which will usually require 

 about two feet in depth of manure. It is usually recommended 

 to mix: leaves and foesh stable manure in equal quantities, but it 

 is not always possible to get the dry leaves, and not at all 

 necessary. Care must be taken in placing the pots or boxes 

 over the plants, that all holes are closely stopped, and the runs 

 sunk in the soU, so as to prevent the entrance of any rank 

 vapors from the fermenting manure. In from four to sis weeks, 

 the plants wiU probably have grown up inside the boxes or pots 

 some six or eight inches in length, when the shoots may be cut 

 for use. After cutting away the sprouts fi.t for use, the crowns 

 may be covered with fresh soU to the depth of three or four 

 inches, the pots replaced, and the manure, etc., replaced as 

 before. In this way another cutting may be had from the 

 same plants. When done cutting, the greater part of the 

 manure should be taken off, and the remainder worked into the 

 bed as a dressing. 



The plants which are not forced in this way should be 

 covered early in the spring with ten or twelve inches of sand or 

 other light soU. The sprouts growing up through this will 

 be blanched, though it is thought that the flavor is not quite 

 equal to that of the plants which have been forced. 



It is prepared for the table by boUing for about twenty min- 

 utes, in water that has been seasoned with salt, when it is taken 

 up, laid upon toasted bread, and drawn butter poured over it. It 

 is used as a substitute for Asparagus or Cauliflower, and those 

 who are fond of either of these wiU enjoy a good dish of Sea 

 Kale. 



SPINACH. 



Any good garden soU, that has be^ well emiched, wiU grow 

 Spinach. It should be well pulverized with plough and harrow, 

 or spade and rake, just as early in the spring as possible, and 

 liberally dressed with weE rotted manure. The seed should be 



