FOOD AND FLAVOR 209 



leaves very similar to those of the improved 

 varieties of parsley. 



The plant is rather obstinate; nevertheless 

 several varieties having many of the desired 

 characteristics have been successfully developed 

 and fixed. 



As the peppergrass is an annual it is of course 

 necessary to fix the new qualities so that they 

 will be reproduced in the seedlings. It is this 

 rather than the mere production of the variety 

 that offers difficulties. 



The familiar horse-radish offers a notable con- 

 trast to the peppergrass and to most other mem- 

 bers of the family in the matter of seed. For 

 whereas the mustard, radish, turnip, cresses, and 

 the rest produce seed in the greatest possible 

 abundance, the horse-radish produces no seeds 

 at all. 



The horse-radish does, indeed, bloom with the 

 greatest profusion. But the blossoms prove 

 sterile. The plant has entirely and probably 

 forever lost the power of producing seed. 



Elsewhere I have referred to the fact of my 

 having created a small commotion among 

 amateur gardeners by the joking offer of one 

 thousand dollars an ounce for horse-radish seed. 

 Of course I knew that no horse-radish seeds 

 were to be had, yet I would gladly have given 



