MAY] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 391 



the first week of this month, when vegetation is very brisk ; for they 

 are very subject to rot if planted in cold weather, especially if the 

 ground be replete with much moisture. 



They delight in a light, sandy, and tolerably rich soil, and should 

 be planted in hills, as directed for the Carolina beans, but at the 

 distance of four feet or upwards, hill from hill, four or five beans 

 in each, and the poles for their support ought to be strong and near 

 ten feet high. They are very productive, will continue bearing till 

 overtaken by the frost, and are extremely delicious. To these may 

 be added the red and white cranberry beans, which may be treated 

 in the same way as white Dutch. 



RADISHES. 



Hoe, weed, and thin the advancing crops of radishes, as directed 

 on page 335 ; and continue to sow a fresh supply every two weeks, 

 as at this time they soon shoot to seed after growing to any tole- 

 rable size. 



The salmon-colored, white Naples, olive shaped, and white turnip- 

 rooted, are the best kinds to sow now ; you may likewise sow some 

 of the white Spanish radish, they bear the warm weather rather better 

 than the other kinds, but are not so crisp and tender. The purple 

 and short-top kinds will yet do very well. 



At this season these seeds must be sown in an open exposure, on 

 beds of rich loose loamy earth, for if on a clay or gravelly soil they 

 would become sticky and good for nothing ; in order to have them 

 crisp and nice they should be frequently watered in dry weather. 



PLANTING RADISHES FOR SEED. 



Transplant radishes for seed when the roots are just in their prime; 

 if showery weather, it will be a particular advantage. 



Choose for this purpose some of the best kinds, long, perfectly 

 straight rooted, and with short tops j having also regard to the color 

 of the root, that is, if of the purple, or short topped kind, those that 

 are of a clear pale red are preferable, as they generally eat more 

 crisp and mild than such as are of a darker color. 



When intended to save seed of the salmon radish, always prefer the 

 best and brightest colored roots, to preserve the kind in its purity, 

 and particularly those that have the shortest tops. 



The principal reason why radishes for seed are directed to be trans- 

 planted is, that, having drawn up a quantity for that purpose, you 

 can the more readily judge of the goodness of the roots, taking only 

 what are of the right sort, otherwise the transplanting of them would 

 be unnecessary, and those not so treated would produce a much 

 greater quantity of seed. 



Plant the roots by dibble in rows four feet asunder, in an open 

 situation, one foot from each other in the row, and give them a good 

 watering immediately after. 



Select, also, some of the best formed white and red turnip-rooted 

 radishes of moderate growth, hoe the others out and let these remain 



