ANALYSIS OF SPINACH. 



275 



?5piiidch lias been analyzed by Bichardson, with the 

 following result :■— 



Potassa, 9.69 



Soda, 34.96 



Lime, .... . 13.11 



Magnesia, . . . . 5.29 



Sulphuric Acid, .... 9.30 



Silicic Acid, .... 3.16 



Phosphoric Acid, .... 7.89 



Phosphate of Iron, . . . 8.67 



Chloride of Sodium, . . . 7.93 



100.00 



The lime and salt mixture with superphosphate of lime 

 will supply most of the inorganic elements required by 

 spinach. 



Culture. — For the winter crop, a light dry, but fertile 

 soil is preferable ; while for spring sowings, to have them 

 long in use, a rich moist loam is desirable. 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 lirst crop should be sown early in 

 October, in drills an inch deep, and a foot apart, scat- 

 tering the seed thinly.* Sow the seed, if possible, in 

 showery weather, or if dry, water it, 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 commence 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 



