HORSE-RADISH. 343 



and often bitter. As a variety for winter culture, it is of 

 little value. 



HORSE-RADISH. 

 Cochlearia armoracia. Nasturtium armoracia. 



Horse-radish is a hardy perennial, introduced from Europe, 

 and growing naturally along old roads, and about gardens 

 and waste places in long-settled towns. The root is white 

 within and without, long, nearly cylindrical, and from an 

 inch to two inches and a half in diameter ; stalk two feet or 

 more in height, smooth and branching ; the radical leaves 

 are from fifteen to eighteen inches in length, oval-oblong, 

 and toothed on the margin, those of the stalk narrow, 

 pointed, smooth, and shining ; the flowers are white, and are 

 put forth in June ; the seed-pods are globular, but are very 

 rarely formed, the flowers being usually abortive. 



There are no varieties. 



Soil, Propagation and Culture. Horse-radish will not 

 thrive in dry, gravelly soil, neither will it succeed well where 

 the subsoil is of a hard, clayey character. The finest roots 

 are obtained from a deep, naturally rich, mellow soil, and it 

 is only in such situations that the yield will repay the cost 

 of planting and cultivation. 



It is always propagated by planting the crowns of the 

 roots, which may be set either in spring or autumn. Trench 

 the ground eighteen inches or two feet deep, and set the 

 crowns or leading buds of old roots, cut off about three 

 inches in length, in rows a foot apart, and nine inches from 

 each other in the rows ; cover six inches deep, and cultivate 

 in the usual manner during the summer. The shoots will 

 soon make their appearance, and the large leaves of the 

 plant completely occupy the surface of the bed. After two 

 seasons' growth the roots will be fit for use. 



