n annually. As its
excellence depends on the size and succulent character of the leaves,
Orach is always best when grown in a rich, deep, and moist soil. The
first sowing may be made as soon in spring as the ground is in proper
condition; afterwards, for a succession, sowings may be made, at
intervals of two weeks, until June.

When the ground has been thoroughly dug over, and the surface made fine
and smooth, sow the seed in drills eighteen inches or two feet apart,
and cover three-fourths of an inch deep. When the young plants are two
or three inches high, thin them to ten or twelve inches apart, and
cultivate in the usual manner. Orach is sometimes transplanted, but
generally succeeds best when sown where the plants are to remain. In
dry, arid soil, it is comparatively worthless.

_To raise Seed._--Leave a few of the best plants without cutting, and
they will afford a plentiful supply of seeds in September.

_Use._--Orach is rarely found in the vegetable gardens of this country.
The leaves have a pleasant, slightly acid taste, and, with the tender
stalks, are used boiled in the same manner as Spinach or Sorrel, and are
often mixed with the latter to reduce the acidity. "The stalks are good
only while the plants are young; but the larger leaves may be picked off
in succession throughout the season, leaving the stalks and smaller
leaves untouched, by which the latter will increase in size. The Orach
thus procured is very tender, and much esteemed."

A few plants will afford an abundant supply.

_Varieties._--

GREEN ORACH. _Trans._

Dark-green Orach. Deep-green Orach. _Mill._

The leaves of this variety are of a dark, grass-green color, broad, much
wrinkled, slightly toothed, and bluntly pointed; the stalk of the plant
and the leaf-stems are strong and sturdy, and of the same color as the
leaves. It is the lowest growing of all the varieties.

LURID ORACH. _Trans._

Pale-red Orach.

Leaves pale-purple, tinged with dark-green,--the under surface
light-purple, with green veins, slightly wrinkled, terminating rather
pointedly, and toothed on the borders only toward the base, which forms
two acute angles; the stalk of the plant and the stems of the leaves are
bright-red, slightly streaked with white between the furrows,--height
three feet and upwards.

PURPLE ORACH. _Trans._

Dark-purple Orach.

Plant from three to four feet in height; leaves dull, dark-purple, more
wrinkled and more deeply toothed