174 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



turnip are most highly esteemed. The white varieties are 

 sometimes supposed to be milder, and to bear the heat better 

 than others, and on this account to be preferable for summer 

 use, but we are not sure that experience sustains these no- 

 tions. 



Radishes of a purple color are almost always very strong, 

 even acrid, but all kinds are liable to become so by neglect or 

 error in their cultivation. 



The various forms intermediate between the long and turnip 

 radish are generally the result of accidental admixture, and 

 any one who chooses may reproduce them from original sources. 

 They are merely fanciful, having no peculiar merit, except that 

 the pear-shaped or half long varieties might perhaps succeed 

 on soils where the longer kinds would fail. 



The black or white fall or Spanish radish should be sown 

 and gathered at the same time as common turnips, and may be 

 stored in sand for winter use. It is a large, coarse-looking 

 radish, but of fine, solid texture and good quality. 



The Chinese rose-colored winter radish is of pretty appear- 

 ance and good quality, and may be sown at the same time or a 

 little latr than the black Spanish. 



Radishes should be sown ill light, rich soil, in drills about 

 eight inches apart and half an inch deep, and covered careful- 

 ly by raking along the drills, and adding, if it seem necessa- 

 ry to settle the earth about the seed, a gentle pressure with 

 the back of the rake, or by means of a board, which may be 

 laid over it and pressed with the foot ; but in experienced 

 hands a slight beating with the back of the rake will be the 

 quickest mode. Or the seed may be sown broadcast, being 

 thinly scattered over the ground and thoroughly raked in. If 

 the weather be dry when you sow, water lightly each evening 

 until the seed sprouts, and continue it afterward if it seem 

 needful. 



Sow ash compost or poudrette upon them at least twice dur- 

 ing their growth, or water occasionally with liquid manure, 

 and, if sown in drills, hoe carefully between them. Radishes 

 may be sown at intervals of one or two weeks, from the earliest 

 opening of spring until late fall, and at the far South through 



