Sparganium
(an old Greek name used by Dioscorides, probably for Butomus, and derived from sparganon, a band; alluding to the form of the leaves). Bur Reed. ORD. Typhaceae. A small genus (less than a dozen species) of marsh or aquatic herbs, inhabiting North temperate regions and Australia. Five species are natives of Britain, but none are of any horticultural value. The stems of S. ramosum (Bede Sedge) have been used for making pepper. Spinach intended for standing through the winter should be sown, according to the locality, from the middle of August till the middle of September, when it is tolerably certain not to run to seed before winter. In unfavourable districts, the former date will not be too soon, while the latter will suit some localities. As before noted, a favoured spot should be selected, and the drills should be rather wider apart than for the ?? crops: about 15in. will be close enough. It is ?? advisable ??ake two sowings for winter, as, if the first ?? arly, the second may be better ??
These are not numerous; they are divided into classes, which are distinguished by the seeds, one ??ing smooth, the other prickly. The Round-seeded, known as Summer Spinach, is most extensively grown in summer; the Prickly, or Winter Spinach, is the hardier of the two, and is sown for withstanding the winter. Flanders Spinach and Lettuce-leaved Spinach are varieties of the Round-seeded class, which are not always distinguished and grown separately from the common sort.
Fungi. The only Fungus that has been recorded as seriously destructive to Spinach is Peronospora effusa. For an account of this parasite, see Peronospora. Plants attacked by it should be removed without delay, and, if possible, burned, to destroy the spores of the Fungus. Insects. The insect pests are not numerous, and there are none that can be regarded as peculiarly attached to this plant. Its chief foes are larvae of Moths, such as are described under the headings Noctua, Plusia, Potherb Moths, and Surface Caterpillars, where also information will be found as to the remedies to be employed against their ravages.
When the plants are allowed to run to seed, the inflorescence is often infested by Aphis Rumicis, and other kinds of Green Flies. See Aphides.