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 recumbent, 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.