The old-fashioned mode of culture is to plant on the shortest, and lift the crop on the longest, day; but that is only applicable to the milder parts of the country.  As a rule, spring is the best time for planting, and it should be done as early as the ground can be got into working order—­certainly not later than the middle of April.  The soil should be in a friable condition, and it must be trodden firmly, after the manner usual for an Onion bed.  Merely press the bulbs into the soil to keep them in position, and put them in rows one foot apart, and nine inches apart in the rows.  They should not be earthed up, but, on the contrary, when approaching maturity the soil should be drawn away so as to expose the bulbs, for this facilitates the ripening process.

To store the roots for any length of time it will be necessary to have them well ripened, and this point demands consideration.  If dry weather could be insured for harvesting the crop, it might be allowed to finish in the ground; but as this cannot be relied on, it is a wise precaution to lift the crop on some suitable opportunity before it is quite ready, and allow the ripening to be completed in a protected airy place.

==Spinach==

==Spinacia oleracea==

Spinach plays an important part in the economy of the dinner table.  There are unfortunate beings who cannot eat it, for they describe it as bitter, sooty, and nauseous.  Probably an equal number of persons entertain a very high opinion as to its value.  The rest of mankind proclaim it a wholesome, savoury, and acceptable vegetable.  Spinach will grow anywhere and anyhow; but some little management is needed to keep up a constant supply of large, dark green leaves, that when properly cooked will be rich in flavour as the result of good cultivation.  To produce first-class Spinach a well-tilled rich loam is needed, but a capital sample may be grown on clay that has been some time in cultivation.

==Summer Spinach.==—­The early sowings of Round or Summer Spinach should be in a sheltered situation, but not directly shaded.  Sow in drills twelve to fifteen inches apart, and one inch deep, beginning in January, although the first sowing may fail, and continue to sow about every fortnight until the middle of May.  The earliest sowing should be on dry ground, but the later sowings will do well on damp soil with a little shade from the midday sun.  It is important to thin the crop early, as it should not be in the least drawn.  This is the only essential point in securing a fine growth, for if the plant cannot spread from the beginning it will never become luxuriant, and will soon run up to seed.  Thin at first to six inches, and if large enough for use, send the thinnings into the house.  Before the leaves overlap thin finally to twelve inches.  Every plant will cover the space, and it will suffice to take the largest leaves, two or three only from each plant, and thus a basket may be filled in a few minutes with really fine Spinach.