122 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



It is best propagated by the tops or crowns, cut 

 two inches long ; if these cannot be had, cuttings 

 of any part of the root, with a joint or two, will 

 answer the purpose. 



When a convenient spot of ground is chosen, it 

 should be trenched up and well broken full two feet 

 deep. The beginning of March, or thereabouts, will 

 be found a good time for planting the sets. This is 

 readily done by a blunt dibble fifteen inches long, 

 and of sufficient thickness to allow the sets to drop 

 to the bottom of the holes so made ; let them be 

 planted nine inches apart, and the holes filled up as 

 you go on. Another method of planting is to take 

 out an opening at one end of the bed, fifteen inches 

 deep, in the common way of trenching, and planting 

 a row of sets with their crowns upright ; then be- 

 ginning the next trench the same width and depth, 

 putting the earth on the first row, and so continuing 

 until the whole is completed. After the ground, 

 if of any extent, is properly levelled, some light 

 crop, such as radishes, spinage, &c., may be sown, 

 and will be off in time not to injure the roots. 

 The plants must be kept clear of weeds during the 

 summer ; but when they are strong, it will not be 

 necessary, as the large leaves cover the ground, 

 and every other plant must give way. About the 

 end of October, or as soon as it is observed that 

 the leaves begin to decay, the horse radish may 

 be taken up as required for use; for which pur- 

 pose the following method is recommended : 

 Open a trench on one side or part of a row, then 

 clear the plants down to the crowns from whence 

 they spring, and cut them off nearly level, so that 



