CHAPTER XVI 

 RADISH 



Importance. The radish is commonly forced near all 

 large centers of population, though in commercial im- 

 portance it does not approach lettuce, the tomato or the 

 cucumber. While there is a large demand for forced 

 radishes, it is an easy matter to overstock the markets. 

 Most growers believe that the radish, as a forcing crop, 

 does not pay as well as lettuce. On the other hand, 

 many believe that the crop deserves more attention. It 

 is one of our best salad crops and possesses special merit 

 for garnishing or table decoration. Quick returns are 

 obtained from it, and it can sometimes be grown with 

 other crops, such as lettuce, and will thus add to the 

 earnings of the house. The radish may be grown in low, 

 cheap houses, where it is impossible to force the tomato 

 or the cucumber. 



There are times when lettuce growers would find it 

 profitable to devote some of their greenhouse space to 

 the forcing of radishes and thus avoid market slumps of 

 lettuce. It is not a difficult crop to produce under glass, 

 though careful attention must be given to its various 

 cultural requirements. 



Light. Probably no vegetable forcing crop is more 

 sensitive to shade or the lack of light than the radish. 

 It may be grown successfully in old houses admitting 

 the minimum amount of light, but the best results are 

 obtained in houses of modern construction. Any ob- 

 struction to the light and sunshine is certain to favor 

 the development of tops rather than large roots. The 

 shading of other classes of plants should be avoided as 

 much as possible. 



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