SPINACH. 



143 



section without serious Injury and after malting a little growth in 

 the spring is marketable. It is harvested by cutting the plants 

 off at the top of the ground. For this purpose a short push hoe 

 is run under the plants. They are then freed from dead leaves, 

 and after being washed are ready for marketing. Spinach 

 requires a very rich soil and plenty of well-rotted manure. To 

 secure the best results from early spring sowings, it will pay 

 those raising it for market, to use nitrate of soda on the land in 

 small quantities, say, two applications at the rate of seventy-five 

 pounds per acre at intervals of two weeks after the crop has 

 started. This material has a wonderful effect on early leaf crops. 

 Where nitrate of soda is not used hen manure is very desirable 

 The effect of nitrate of soda on this crop is very marked and 

 often results in more than doubling its size. Spinach generally 

 is very free from insects and fungous diseases. 



Varieties. — There are a number of varieties of spinach dif- 

 fering in earliness, hardiness and in the time they remain in 

 edible condition, as well as in many minor matters. Among 

 the best are the following: 



Long Standing. — An excellent sort for spring and summer 

 sowing, since it stands longer than any other sort before going 

 to seed. 



Prickly, or Winter. — A prickly seed variety that is very 

 popular. It will withstand very severe weather without serious 

 injury if lightly protected by hay or straw and is probably the 

 best sort for autumn planting in this section. 



BlO'Omsdale. — A nice hardy sort with long, curled leaves of 

 excellent quality. Very hardy. 



THE CABBAGE FAIVIILY. (Order Cruciferae.) 

 Tlie cabbage family is made up of herbaceous plants having 

 watery juice, a pungent (peppery) taste, and floral envelopes 

 arranged on the plan of four, with their petals generally spread 

 out in the form of a cross. Stamens six, two of which are short- 

 er than the other four. Seed all embryo. This is a large family 

 and includes besides the cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel's sprouts, 

 kale, kohl-rabi, horseradish, cress, water cress, whose cultural 

 directions are given under this head, among common weeds, the 

 mustard, French weed, false flax, pepper cress, shepherd's purse 



