Portulaca.

P. oleracea. Green, or Garden Purslane.

P. sativa. Golden Purslane.

Soil And Situation

A light rich soil is the one in which they thrive most, and they must have a warm situation, as a south border. Sow in February and early in March, in a moderate hotbed, to remain where sown; and at the close of March, and once monthly, during April, May, and the summer months until the end of August, in the open ground.

Sow in drills six inches apart, very thin, and about half an inch deep. The plants soon make their appearance. They must be kept clear of weeds, and thinned to six or eight inches asunder. In dry weather water is required moderately two or three times a week.

In general, they are ready forgathering from in six weeks after sowing, the young shoots being made use of from two to five inches in length, and the plants branch out again.

The hot-bed crops require the air to be admitted as freely as possible, the temperature ranging between 50° and 75°.

To Obtain Seed

As a small quantity will suffice for the largest family, a few of the earliest border-raised plants must be left ungathered from; the strongest and largest leaved being selected; they blossom in June and July. They must be cut immediately the seed is ripe, laid on a cloth, and when perfectly dry, thrashed. The refuse is best separated by means of a very fine sieve.