Encyclopaedia of Gardening 211 



good tubers should be put in a heap when dry, and covered with 

 straw and soil. All must be kept safe from frost. If very early 

 Potatoes are wanted, tubers may be put in large pots and placed 

 in a warm greenhouse, or planted in a frame. Those who grow 

 Potatoes from tubers of their own saving should get fresh seed 

 every 3 years or so, preferably from a different soil and district, 

 otherwise it will be found that the crop deteriorates. Good varieties 



Early. 



Midlothian Early 

 Sharpe's Express 



Medium. 

 British Queen 

 Snowdrop 



Late. 

 Factor 

 Up-to-date 



Radish (Raphanus sativus). The Radish presses the Lettuce 

 hard for popularity as a salad and " relish." All classes appreciate 

 it, and it is a " stock line " with market gardeners. It is a fairly 

 hardy vegetable, and those who think a good deal about having a 

 long supply sow in autumn as well as in spring. The first sowing 

 of the year may be made in a sheltered place towards the end of 

 February, in well dug and manured soil, the seed being sown broad- 

 cast an inch deep and the bed covered with tanned netting or black 

 thread in order to keep off birds. Thereafter sowings may be made 

 at intervals until September. Those who force vegetables in frames 

 (see also French Gardening) frequently sprinkle a few Carrot and 

 Radish seeds in mixture in rows, drawing the Radishes before the 

 Carrots want much room; or they sow between frame Potatoes. 

 The following varieties are good if drawn young: Turnip (red and 

 white), French Breakfast, Wood's Frane. For forcing, Earliest of 

 All. 



Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) . A good stool of Rhubarb is 

 very serviceable, and those who have the necessary accommodation 

 may grow several and force a portion, either 

 by placing some litter or a bottomless box 

 or barrel round the roots in the garden, or 

 by lifting a few stools, packing them together 

 in soil in a warm place and watering them. 

 Thus a succession will be secured, as the 

 unforced plants will come on later. In 

 starting with Rhubarb, seed may be used 

 and sown in spring, the plants being shifted 

 the following spring ; but sticks cannot be 

 pulled under 3 years. Roots may, however, A STRQNG FQ ; CING RooT 

 be bought, and if planted in good soil in O p RHUBARB. 



spring will yield the following year; it is 



not wise to pull from freshly established plants. A cool, moist site 

 should be chosen for this crop, and the soil should be manured 

 liberally. Soakings of water, liquid manure, house slops, and 

 soapsuds will strengthen it. Good varieties: Champagne (early) 

 and Victoria (late). 



Salsify and Scorzonera. Two minor roots, but quite distinct from 

 the big crops, such as Carrots, Beetroot, and Parsnip, and of agree- 

 able flavour. Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolium) has a cream- 

 coloured root, and good specimens are 9 ins. long by 2 ins. thick at 



