The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 54

Their margin is stained with purple, and a little dentated or toothed in some cases, but not in all. The stalk and the stems of the leaves are of a palish-red, and are slightly furrowed, as well as streaked with pale-white between the furrows. The plant is of dwarfish growth.

WHITE ORACH. _Trans._

Pale-green Orache. _Neill._ White French Spinach. Yellow Orach.

Leaves pale-green or yellowish-green, much wrinkled, with long, tapering points, strongly cut in the form of teeth towards the base, which forms two acute angles; the stalk of the plant and the stems of the leaves are of the same color as the foliage. It is comparatively of low growth.

PATIENCE.

Herb Patience. Patience Dock. Garden Patience. Rumex patientia.

This plant is a native of the south of Europe. It is a hardy perennial, and, when fully grown, from four to five feet in height. The leaves are large, long, broad, pointed; the leaf-stems are red; the flowers are numerous, small, axillary, and of a whitish-green color,--they are put forth in June and July, and the seeds ripen in August. The latter are triangular, of a pale-brownish color, and will keep three years.

_Soil and Cultivation._--"The plant will grow well in almost any soil, but best in one that is rich and rather moist. It may easily be raised from seed sown in spring, in drills eighteen inches asunder; afterwards thinning out the young plants to a foot apart in the rows. It may also be sown broadcast in a seed-bed, and planted out; or the roots may be divided, and set at the above distances.

"The plants should not be allowed to run up to flower, but should be cut over several times in the course of the season, to induce them to throw out young leaves in succession, and to prevent seed from being ripened, and scattered about in all directions; for, when this takes place, the plant becomes a troublesome weed."--_Thomp._

It is perfectly hardy, and, if cut over regularly, will continue healthy and productive for several years. In the vicinity of gardens where it has been cultivated, it is frequently found growing spontaneously.

_Use._--"The leaves were formerly much used as Spinach; and are still eaten in some parts of France, where they are also employed in the early part of the season as a subst.i.tute for Sorrel; being produced several days sooner than the leaves of that plant."--_Thomp._

Its present neglect may arise from a want of the knowledge of the proper method of using it. The leaves are put forth quite early in spring. They should be cut while they are young and tender, and about a fourth part of Common Sorrel mixed with them. In this way, Patience Dock is much used in Sweden, and may be recommended as forming an excellent spinach dish.

QUINOA (WHITE). _Law._

White-seeded Quinoa. Goose-foot. Chenopodium quinoa.

An annual plant from Mexico or Peru. Its stem is five or six feet in height, erect and branching; the leaves are triangular, obtusely toothed on the borders, pale-green, mealy while young, and comparatively smooth when old; flowers whitish, very small, produced in compact cl.u.s.ters; seeds small, yellowish-white, round, a little flattened, about a line in diameter, and, on a cursory glance, might be mistaken for those of millet; they retain their vegetative powers three years; about twelve thousand are contained in an ounce.

_Sowing and Cultivation._--It is propagated from seeds which are sown in April or May, in shallow drills three feet apart. As the seedlings increase in size, they are gradually thinned to a foot apart in the rows. The seeds ripen in September. In good soil, the plants grow vigorously, and produce seeds and foliage in great abundance.

_Use._--The leaves are used as Spinach or Sorrel, or as greens. In some places, the seeds are employed as a subst.i.tute for corn or wheat in the making of bread, and are also raised for feeding poultry.

_Varieties._--

BLACK-SEEDED QUINOA.

The stalks of this variety are more slender, and the leaves smaller, than those of the White-seeded. The plant is also stained with brownish-red in all its parts. Seeds small, grayish-black.

It is sown, and in all respects treated, like the White. The seeds and leaves are used in the same manner.

RED-SEEDED QUINOA. _Law._

Chenopodium sp.

This variety, or perhaps, more properly, species, is quite distinct from the White-seeded. It grows to the height of six or eight feet, and even more, with numerous long, spreading branches. The leaves are more succulent than those of the last named, and are produced in greater abundance. When sown at the same time, it ripens its seeds nearly a month later.

Its foliage and seeds are used for the same purposes as the White. Sow in rows three feet apart, and thin to fifteen inches in the rows.

SEA-BEET. _Trans._

Beta maritima.

The Sea-beet is a hardy, perennial plant. The roots are not eaten; but the leaves, for which it is cultivated, are an excellent subst.i.tute for Spinach, and are even preferred by many to that delicate vegetable. If planted in good soil, it will continue to supply the table with leaves for many years. The readiest method of increasing the plants is by seeds; but they may be multiplied to a small extent by dividing the roots.

The early-produced leaves are the best, and these are fit for use from May until the plants begin to run to flower; but they may be continued in perfection through the whole summer and autumn by cutting off the flower-stems as they arise, and thus preventing the blossoming.

There are two varieties:--

ENGLISH SEA-BEET.

The English Sea-beet is a dwarfish, spreading or trailing plant, with numerous angular, leafy branches. The lower leaves are ovate, three or four inches in length, dark-green, waved on the margin, and of thick, fleshy texture; the upper leaves are smaller, and nearly sessile.

Sow in April or May, in rows sixteen or eighteen inches apart, and an inch in depth; thin to twelve inches in the rows. The leaves should not be cut from seedling plants during the first season, or until the roots are well established.

IRISH SEA-BEET.

This differs from the preceding variety in the greater size of its leaves, which are also of a paler green: the stems are not so numerous, and it appears to be earlier in running to flower. The external differences are, however, trifling; but the flavor of this, when dressed, is far superior to that of the last named.

It requires the same treatment in cultivation as the English Sea-beet.

SHEPHERD'S PURSE.

Thlaspi Bursa pastoris.

A hardy, annual plant, growing naturally and abundantly about gardens, roadsides, and in waste places. The root-leaves spread out from a common centre, are somewhat rec.u.mbent, pinnatifid-toothed, and, in good soil, attain a length of eight or ten inches; the stem-leaves are oval, arrow-shaped at the base, and rest closely upon the stalk. When in blossom, the plant is from twelve to fifteen inches in height; the flowers are small, white, and four-petaled; the seeds are small, of a reddish-brown color, and retain their vitality five years.

_Propagation and Cultivation._--It is easily raised from seed, which should be sown in May, where the plants are to remain. Sow in shallow drills twelve or fourteen inches apart, and cover with fine mould. Thin the young plants to four inches asunder, and treat the growing crop in the usual manner during the summer. Late in autumn, cover the bed with coa.r.s.e stable-litter, and remove it the last of February. In March and April, the plants will be ready for the table.

_Use._--It is used in the manner of Spinach. "When boiled, the taste approaches that of the Cabbage, but is softer and milder. The plant varies wonderfully in size, and succulence of leaves, according to the nature and state of the soil where it grows. Those from the gardens and highly cultivated spots near Philadelphia come to a remarkable size, and succulence of leaf. It may be easily bleached by the common method; and, in that state, would be a valuable addition to our list of delicate culinary vegetables."

In April and May it may be gathered, growing spontaneously about cultivated lands; and, though not so excellent as the cultivated plants, will yet be found of good quality.

SORREL.