Radish 



'275 



frequent intervals for a succession. Radishes are easily 

 grown in hotbeds. 



If radishes are to be grown during the hot weather, 

 the soil should be as cool as possible and supplied with 

 an abundance of moisture 

 in order to keep them grow- 

 ing continuously. Radishes 

 do not come to their full per- 

 fection in soil that is hard 

 and dry. The roots are so 

 small and short that the 

 plants are essentially sur- 

 face feeders. Radishes are 

 marketed in bunches (Fig. 

 62). 



The seeds of radishes 

 are large and germinate 

 quickly. Better roots and 

 a more uniform crop are 

 secured by sowing only the large seeds. The small 

 ones may be sifted out by means of a hand screen. 



The root maggot can be destroyed by injecting bi- 

 sulfide of carbon into the ground about the plants (see 

 Cabbage) ; but this operation is so expensive and 

 troublesome in comparison with the value of the 

 plants that it is not to be advised. The best alterna- 

 tive is to grow the plants on land in which the maggot 

 has not been breeding. If the whole garden is infested 

 with the root maggot, it is advisable to cease growing 

 radishes and related crops until the maggots have been 

 starved out. There are no other very serious pests. 



Fig. 62. Early spring radishes. 



