t 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 substitute 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 clusters;
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, a