RADISH 109 



RADISH 



(Raphanus sativus) 



THE RADISH is often badly grown through being sown too thickly 

 on lumpy ground, in places not favourable to quick vegetation. 

 Radishes grown slowly become tough, pungent, and worthless. On 

 the other hand, those which are grown quickly on rich, mellow 

 ground are elegant in appearance, delicate in flavour, and as 

 digestible as any salad in common use. It should be understood 

 that earliness is of the very first importance ; large Radishes are 

 never wanted ; but the ground should be good, and well broken up, 

 to insure a quick growth and a handsome sample. 



For the earliest crops it is advisable to make a semi-hot-bed, by 

 removing a portion of the surface soil, and laying down about two 

 feet depth of half-rotten stable manure, on which spread four inches of 

 fine earth, and then cover with old frames. Sow the seed thinly, and 

 put on the lights. When the plants appear, give air at every oppor- 

 tunity to keep the growth dwarf and stout, and cover with mats 

 during frost, always taking care to uncover as often as possible to 

 give light, for if the tops are drawn the bottoms will be worthless. 

 Where the plants are crowded thin them, allowing every plant just 

 room enough to spread out its top without overlapping its neighbour. 

 Sowings made in this way in December, January, and February will 

 supply an abundance of beautiful Radishes in early spring, when they 

 are greatly valued. The second crop (which in many gardens will 

 be the first) may be sown on warm dry borders in February. Within 

 a few days after sowing, collect a quantity of dry litter, and lay it 

 up ready for use in a shed. It happens often that we have warm, 

 bright weather in February, and the Radishes start quickly and make 

 good progress, and then may come a severe frost, when the litter 

 must be spread as lightly as possible,, three or four inches thick. 

 These open-ground sowings will bear cold well, but they should not 

 be allowed to get frozen, and therefore semi-hot-beds may be em- 

 ployed. If the consumption of time and materials appears excessive, 

 for such a purpose, it should be remembered that this is a capital way 

 of preparing for the next crop, whatever it may be, and is a particu- 

 larly good method of preparing for Peas that are to be sown in the 

 month of April, by which time the earliest sown Radishes will be off 

 the ground. 



