258 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



formerly much used in soups and salads, but at the 

 present time little use is made of them. 



Culture. The purslane is a hardy annual, and 

 easily propagated from seed, which should be sown 

 in slight drills, or broad-cast over the surface, on a 

 warm border, about the middle of April ; and when 

 up about an inch high, they should be thinned out to 

 the distance of five or six inches, and in six weeks 

 they will have grown sufficiently large for use. In 

 gathering them the young tops should be cut off 

 with a knife, and they afterwards shoot out again. 

 The green sort is best, and chiefly used for soups, 

 and the golden for salads. 



46. RADISH. RAPHANUS. 



JRaphanus, the ancient name for the radish, is 

 derived from a Greek word signifying quick, in allu- 

 sion to the quickness of its vegetation. 



The native country of this well-known plant is 

 not ascertained. Linnaeus mentions China, but does 

 not state his authority. It is valued by us for its 

 grateful pungency, and agreeable relish when 

 mixed with salads, or eaten raw with bread and 

 butter. 



There are some good medicinal qualities attached 

 to radishes ; they abound with a penetrating nitrous 

 juice, which renders them a good antiscorbutic. 



Radishes afford but little nourishment; and when- 

 ever eaten, especially in a raw state^ they should 

 be crisp, and not in the least tough, stringy, or 

 overgrown ; neither must they be eaten to excess, 

 as ill effects are apt to follow. 



