THE HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN 109 



Radishes are of easy culture; by making one or two spring 

 sowings, and then again in August and early September, the finest 

 flavored roots can be had. They are of little value in hot weather, 

 as the roots get very tough. Early Scarlet Globe and French 

 Breakfast are popular sorts. Of late years, the winter varieties 

 like Black Spanish, have come to the front; these can be stored in 

 sand and kept all winter; they make very large roots, and are 

 of good flavor. 



Curled Cress and White Mustard are easily grown salad plants 

 which can be grown in flats in the home or in a cold-frame. The 

 seeds do not require a covering but should have an ample water 

 supply. 



In miscellaneous vegetables, there are leeks, which should be 

 sown only, and given rich culture, to secure big, handsome stalks; 

 these keep in fine condition until May in a cold cellar. Mussel- 

 burgh is a standard variety. A clump or two of chives takes up 

 little space. For borderings, nothing is more beautiful than 

 parsley; the plants should be thinned out six or eight inches apart. 

 On well-drained land, with a covering of leaves, this will survive 

 our New England winters. Dobbie's Selected and Champion 

 Moss are beautifully curled types. White Velvet okra or gumbo 

 is valuable for soups. It succeeds best in a hot summer, and the 

 seed should not be sown before May 10 in this latitude. A few 

 roots of the indispensable rhubarb and one or two roots of horse 

 radish should always be included. In the way of sweet or pot 

 herbs fennel, dill, sweet marjoram, sweet basil, sage, thyme, and 

 summer savory are all very useful. 



I have not mentioned mushrooms, which naturally should have 

 a place when possible in a cellar, stable, or shed. A temperature 

 of 50° to 55° suits them best; but they will produce if 10 degrees 

 colder. Beds should never be made near a furnace or any drying 

 heat, and the best heat at which to spawn is 85°. The home cul- 

 ture spawn produces very large mushrooms in a much shorter 

 time than the English Milltrack. I have had them appear within 

 three weeks, but the average would be nearer six weeks. If the 

 manure should be rather cold, mushrooms may not appear for 

 twelve weeks; and one year we had almost given up all hopes of a 

 bed, and it produced well at the end of seventeen weeks. The beds 



