248 VEGETABLE FORCING 



Scarlet Globe or one of its numerous strains. Among the 

 varieties which are most commonly grown under glass 

 may be mentioned Cardinal Globe, White-Tipped Scarlet 

 Globe, Colonial Forcing, Carmine and Fireball. 



Soil. The finest radishes are invariably grown in soils 

 containing a considerable quantity of sand. The roots in 

 such soils are smoother and more uniform in shape than 

 when they are grown in clay or silt soils, and less labor 

 is required to wash them. Excellent roots may be pro- 

 duced in heavy soils which are well supplied with or- 

 ganic matter, though sand should be added to the beds if 

 it is possible or feasible to do so. Sand also decreases the 

 chances of heavy losses from the attack of damping-off 

 fungi, and facilitates sowing, thinning and cultivating. 



Fertilizing. Experiments and practical tests made with 

 commercial fertilizers for radishes have not given as good 

 results as manure alone. Wheeler (Rhode Island Bulletin 

 128) reports that no combination of commercial fertilizer 

 applied with short-cut straw (the latter mixed with the 

 soil in sufficient quantity to alter its physical properties) 

 gave as good results as well-decayed stable manure used 

 at the rate of 75 tons to the acre. It is necessary to have 

 an abundance of available plant food, but suitable physical 

 properties of the soil are of greater importance than the 

 mere question of plant food. The radish does not thrive 

 in any soil which is lacking in vegetable matter. The soil 

 must be loose and friable, and for this reason manure 

 gives better results than do commercial fertilizers. It is 

 possible that fertilizers can be used to advantage under 

 certain conditions, but the radish does not seem to re- 

 spond well to their application. 



Fresh stable manure should never be applied immedi- 

 ately before sowing radishes, for it is favorable to ex- 

 cessive top growth instead of to satisfactory root develop- 

 ment. The manure should be at least several months old 

 and fine enough to mix well with the soil. An annual 

 application of 40 tons of manure to the acre of greenhouse 



