HORSE-RADISH GROWING 255 



or early in the spring there will be nicely rooted sets ready for 

 transplanting as before described. 



Mr. D. F. Reichard, of Los Angeles county, gives, to the Cali- 

 fornia Cultivator, this advice: 



In planting horse-radish it is advisable to dig a trench or hole and have 

 the plants six to ten inches below the surface, then as they grow carefully fill 

 up to the level. If the soil is light this will not be necessary, as horse-radish 

 will usually come through eight to ten inches of soil. This method of culture 

 produces a long, perfect root. It must be remembered in planting that the 

 old set entirely wastes away and the new plant starts from this set and grows 

 upward, making another large root below the level of the point from which 

 it starts. 



Another point of view is presented in this account given by 

 Aggeler & Musser, of Los Angeles: 



The local supply is far below the demand. This condition should not 

 exist, because it is a profitable crop. One grower realized $1100 from two 

 acres. When asked why he discontinued growing it, he replied : "I have not 

 the right soil. It requires a rich, sandy loam, frequent irrigation, but it must 

 be well drained so that the soil does not remain muddy or sour. Then, too, 

 there is so much disease or blight prevalent that one must get a clean start 

 and keep clean by changing places as soon as the soil is infected." 



Though it is quite true that one should be somewhat critical 

 about entering upon large commercial production and should not 

 only examine his soil and moisture conditions as above suggested 

 but also should guarantee his product by contracting at least part 

 of it to a pickle maker or other large consumer, no such question 

 should disturb the small grower for he can get good results on any 

 garden soil with very little trouble. 



Formerly all horse-radish was of one kind, but the one now 

 in favor in this state is known as the Bohemian a recent intro- 

 duction by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. It is a much 

 more rapid grower than the old variety in general use and is, there- 

 fore ready for use a great deal earlier. Its large, white roots may 

 be raised in almost any soil. The quality of this horse-radish is 

 said to be far superior to the old variety. 



