OIL RADISH. 603 



vation. As the plants are large and spreading, they should 

 be two feet and a half or three feet apart in each direction. 

 The seeds may be sown in April or May, in the open ground 

 where the plants are to remain, or a few seeds may be sown 

 in a hot-bed, and the seedlings afterwards transplanted. 



Gathering and Use. The young pods are the parts of the 

 plant used. These are produced in great abundance, and 

 should be gathered when about half grown, or while tender 

 and succulent ; after the hardening of the flesh they are 

 worthless. They are used for pickling, and by many are 

 considered superior to the Cucumber, or any other vegetable 

 employed for the purpose. 



OIL RADISH. Law. 

 Raphanus sativus. 



A variety of the Common Radish, particularly adapted 

 for the production of oil, and distinguished by the name R. 

 sativus olifer, or Oil Radish. Its stems are dwarf, from a 

 foot and a half to two feet in height, much branched, spread- 

 ing, and produce more seed-pods, than the Common Radish. 

 It is grown rather extensively in China for its oil, from 

 whence it has been introduced into and cultivated in some 

 parts of Europe ; but it does not appear with any particu- 

 lar success, though much has been said and written in its 

 favor. 



It seems best suited for southern latitudes, where it may 

 be sown in September, and harvested the following May or 

 June ; but, in the northern portions of the United States, it 

 will be found too tender to withstand the winter, and the seed 

 will therefore require to be sown in spring. 



The oil is obtained from the seed, and is considered supe- 

 rior to rape-seed oil, but is extracted with greater difficulty. 



