82 THE SEED-GROWER. 



early crop by market gardeners. Many of the larger 

 seed-dealers will handle thousands of pounds of radish 

 seed in course of a single season. The demand runs 

 mostly to early varieties; red turnip, long scarlet and 

 half long scarlet being the kinds most popular. 



Nine-tenths of the seed used by the American trade is 

 imported from Europe, the remainder is grown in this 

 country. European seed forms the standard for the 

 market, owing to the great care taken in its production. 

 Most of the American seed is grown in California; 

 the total annual production there being upwards of 

 100,000 pounds. Seed of excellent quality is also 

 grown in other States, mostly in New England, Penn- 

 sylvania and Michigan. In fact, all the first-class 

 radish seed in demand could and should be produced 

 in this country at prices on a par with Europe. 



In a good season, about 1,000 pounds of seed per 

 acre are an average yield, but exceptional crops have 

 been known of 1,500 pounds. Prices laid down in 

 New York for either American or European seed, range 

 from ten to fifteen cents per pound to the grower. 



RHUBARB. 



The usual method of propagation is by root, as seed 

 rarely produces roots equal to the parent. The main 

 root is separated so that each division contains an eye; 

 these divisions are used for planting. 



Seed, however, may be gathered from the plant. It 

 is produced on the main stalk. The stalks after being 

 cut, should be allowed to become perfectly dry before 

 threshing, which is done with a machine or with a flail 

 on a cloth on the floor, or seed may be rubbed off 

 between the hands. 



Seed-dealers handle both seed and roots in a limited 



