KITCHEN-GARDENING. 121 



but the best seed. Never plant seed that has been taken from 

 Pumpkins of poor kind. Pumpkins will hybridize, even when 

 they grow several rods apart. Hybrids are always poor. The 

 seed is unfit to plant, as they will not produce excellent Pump- 

 kins. Those seeds sold in markets are seldom reliable. When 

 an excellent Pumpkin is found, dry the seeds with care, and 

 plant a few hills in one corner of a large field, far away from 

 other vines, and continue to save the seeds of the best specimens 

 which the vines produce for several years. After a few seasons, 

 an excellent variety will be obtained ; and if the seeds be plant- 

 ed on rich ground, not among growing crops, very large crops 

 may be grown with little labor. When Pumpkins are raised 

 among Indian-corn, it is impossible for them to grow as large 

 and fair as if the vines were not shaded. Moreover, the crop 

 of corn will not be as large, when the soil produces a heavy 

 crop of Pumpkins. 



One of the best ways of raising a crop of Pumpkins is, to 

 stick the seed one in a place, eight feet apart in every fourth 

 row of Potatoes, soon after the rows appear. The crop of 

 Potatoes will come to maturity before the Pumpkin-vines have 

 become so large as to shade a large proportion of the ground. 



RADISH. RADIS orr RAVE. Raphanus sativus. 



The different varieties of Radish are extensively cultivated 

 near large cities, chiefly for their roots, which are considered a 

 luxury after a hard winter, and prove acceptable as warm 

 weather approaches, provided they can be obtained in perfec- 

 tion. The plant is also cultivated for the sake of the seed- 

 leaves, which are used as a small salad ; and even the seed-pods, 

 if pickled while young and green, are considered by some a 

 good substitute for Capers. 



Those who may be desirous of having good Radishes early 

 in the spring, should have a warm border prepared in the very 

 best manner, so as to be ready to sow some of the seed as 

 early in the spring as the seed will vegetate. If the ground 



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