426 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
Group IV. — Prickly Seeded Spinach. “Plants varia- 
ble, leaves often with long- and slender stalks and rather 
narrow blades. Seeds with hornlike projections. This 
kind of spinach is not readily sown with ordinary seed 
drills.” Prickly Seeded is a variety of this group. 
Group V. — New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia ex- 
panse!) and Group VI.— Mountain Spinach (Atriplcx hor- 
tensis) are not generally known among vegetable grow- 
ers. The former, however, is coming into prominence as a 
desirable mid-summer “greens” and as a greenhouse crop. 
601. Culture. — A very rich, constantly moist soil is 
required to grow a heavy crop of spinach. In soils of 
moderate fertility the plants become spindling and the 
production light. Composted stable manures are espe- 
cially valuable. The fertilizer employed should contain 
a high percentage of nitrogen. Mixtures used at Nor- 
folk supply about 8 per cent of nitrogen, 2 to 5 per cent 
phosphoric acid and 2 per cent potash. They are used 
at the rate of about one ton an acre, applied in portions 
at different times throughout the season. The general 
practice is to make the fall sowings in low beds, 5 to 9 
feet wide. This method provides perfect surface drain- 
age. The rows, which should be 10 to 14 inches apart, 
are drilled lengthwise of the beds and the plants thinned 
4 to 6 inches apart. It is important to sow in good time, so 
that the plants will become thoroughly established before 
winter. September 25 is the favorite time for sowing at 
Norfolk, although drilling begins about September 1 and 
continues until November 15. From 15 to 30 pounds of 
seed are required to the acre. Broadcast seeding is some- 
times practiced. Frequent tillage with the wheel hoe 
is essential. In the North a mulch of manure or other 
material is valuable in affording winter protection, al- 
though in many districts this is not considered necessary. 
A push or shuffle hoe is often used in cutting the roots 
when the crop is gathered. The plants must be trimmed of 
