RADISHES. 249* 



"bed having a very gentle bottom heat, giving them plenty of 

 air in fine weather, and watering with tepid water. The seed 

 may also be sown in some sunny spot in the open ground, 

 sheltered if possible from the colder winds, as soon as the 

 weather becomes balmy in spring. The excellence of this vege- 

 table consists in its being crisp, tender and mild ; and these 

 requisites can only be secured by a quick growth. When 

 the hot weather of summer sets in, the Eadish is apt to be too 

 pungent to be agreeable, and is better flavored at this time if 

 grown as much in the shade as possible. 



The seed is sometimes sown broadcast, but more commonly 

 in drills about half an inch deep and six inches apart. After 

 the plants are up they should be thinned, so as to stand about 

 an inch apart. The seed will keep its vitality well for three 

 years, but after that time is not to be relied upon. It is a very 

 common practice to sow Eadishes among Beets, or Onions, or 

 Cabbage, as the crop is taken off before they can interfere with 

 these later vegetables, and in this way ground is economized. 

 Early Eadishes command a quick sale in our town and city 

 markets. The chief labor connected with their cultivation is 

 that of cleaning and bunching them for sale, which, by the 

 way, is no small item. 



There are a great many varieties, but the following are quite 

 sufficient and the most desirable : — 



French Breakfast. — An excellent variety for forcing in 

 hot-beds, olive -shaped, scarlet with white tip, very tender,- 

 pleasant flavored and handsome. 



Rose Olive -Shaped. — This is a very fine early variety, 

 oval in form, skin deep rose color, flesh tender and excellent. 



Long Scarlet Short Top. — ^A favorite market sort, suitable 

 for open garden culture, color deep pink, flesh white, crisp and 

 mild flavored ; usually about six inches in length when in its- 

 best condition for the table. 



Chinese Rose Winter. — The best winter Eadish. The 

 root is cylindrical in form, terminating abruptly in a slender tap- 



