MALABAR SPINACH 
(Climbing Type) 
A peculiar form of spinach, known botanically as Basella Alba, from India. A very 
fast grower. This new kind of spinach has distinct advantages. All the ground you need 
is a few inches near the house in which to plant a few seeds. Two vines are sufficient 
to supply a small family all summer. Ornamental, also, train them over the front door 
where they are handy to cut off if you like. Being off the ground this spinach is always 
clean and not necessary to repeatedly wash and pick over. Big thick, fleshy leaves are cut 
off together with whatever length stem needs pruning to keep the plant in bounds. Stems 
that seem too tough to eat can be put back in the soil and rerooted. Soon there is more 
tender spinach growing. In India the poorest villager is able to raise a few vines of it to 
eat along with his plain boiled rice. Indians have a saying which sets forth the best 
thing in its class. It loses by translation; the following is part of it: “The best thing 
among men in mui or (me).” “The best thing among fish is rui or (rui fish).” “The 
best among greens is pui (this climbing spinach).” “Pui” is considered not only a great 
delicacy, but it is deserving of honor as a useful plant. Planted beside the Indian’s cot- 
tage, where he can watch it, soon scrambles all over his thatched roof. Thus his thatched 
house becomes a veritable garden with various gourds and pumpkins among the spinach. 
That way they are safe from the depredations of cows and goats, which are left to roam 
for food. Monkeys, now and then, have to be shooed off, but they really prefer peas 
and tomatoes if they can find them. An earthen pot upside down on a pole, especially 
if it has some white dots on its bottom, averts “the evil-eye.” This climbing spinach 
may be cooked as you prefer, but if you wish to taste the real Bengali version, cook it 
with chopped onions and hot chillies, then fry in a little mustard oil. 
Pkt. (25 seeds) 50c. 
BEST TOMATOES SINCE BOYHOOD 
I have had the best crop of tomatoes (Peron) last year, ever been raised. It rivaled 
crops raised when I was a boy. 
Many thanks for your tomatoes. 
April 12, 1953 R. F. Clendenen, Renick, W. Va. 
DID NOT SPRAY—NO BLIGHT 
I had wonderful luck with your Peron tomatoes last year. We did not spray at all and 
had blight. 
rag 20, 1983 Mrs. Milo Hayner, Troy, N. Y. 
