much prized. The ribs of the
leaves, even after they are nearly fully developed, are sometimes used;
being peeled and eaten as asparagus. In either state, they are tied up
in small bundles, boiled, and served as cauliflowers."--_M'Int._

_To obtain Seed._--"Select some strong plants, and allow them to take
their natural growth, without cutting off their crowns, or blanching.
When the seed is ripe, collect the pods, dry them, and put them into
open canvas-bags. The seeds keep best in the pods."--_Thomp._

CHAPTER VI.

SPINACEOUS PLANTS.

Amaranthus. Black Nightshade. Leaf-beet, or Swiss Chard. Malabar
Nightshade. Nettle. New-Zealand Spinach. Orach. Patience Dock. Quinoa.
Sea-beet. Shepherd's Purse. Sorrel. Spinach. Wild or Perennial Spinach.

* * * * *

AMARANTHUS.

Chinese Amaranthus. Chinese Spinach.

A hardy, annual plant, introduced from China; stem three feet in height,
much branched, and generally stained with red; leaves variegated with
green and red, long, and sharply pointed; the leaf-stems and nerves are
red; the flowers, which are produced in axillary spikes, are greenish,
and without beauty; the seeds are small, black, smooth, and
shining,--twenty-three thousand are contained in an ounce, and they
retain their power of germination four or five years.

_Soil and Cultivation._--Any good garden-soil is adapted to the growth
of the Amaranthus. Before sowing, the ground should be thoroughly
pulverized, and the surface made smooth and even. The seed may be sown
in April, or at any time during the month of May. It should be sown in
very shallow drills, fourteen to sixteen inches apart, and covered with
fine, moist earth. When the plants are two inches high, thin to five or
six inches apart, and cultivate in the usual manner. They will yield
abundantly during most of the summer.

_Use._--The leaves are used in the manner of Spinach, and resemble it in
taste.

_Varieties._--

EARLY AMARANTHUS.

Amarante Mirza. _Vil._

This plant is a native of the East Indies; and in height, color, and
general habit, resembles the Chinese Amaranthus. It is, however,
somewhat earlier, and ripens its seed perfectly in climates where the
Chinese almost invariably fails. Its uses, and mode of cultivation, are
the same.

HANTSI SHANGHAI AMARANTHUS.

Amarante Hantsi Shanghai. _Vil._

Introduced from China by Mr. Fortune, and disseminated by the London
Horticultural Society. I