CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 417 



RADISH (Raphanus annuum) 



575. History. The radish, which has been cultivated 

 since earliest historic times, is indigenous to the temper- 

 ate regions of the old world (De Candolle, "Origin of 

 Cultivated Plants," p. 29). People of many countries 

 consume the roots in large quantities. 



576. Importance. The radish is particularly impor- 

 tant in this country as a spring and early summer crop. 

 It is easily grown. The roots attain edible size in three 

 to six weeks from time of sowing. As it is highly ap- 

 preciated as a salad plant, immense quantities are grown 

 by market gardeners supplying the city markets. It is 

 also a profitable crop with some of the southern truckers, 

 who ship to markets of the northern states. 



577. Climatic requirements. This is a cool-weather 

 plant, but may be grown under a wide range of climatic 

 conditions. If the supply of soil moisture is ample, high 

 temperatures are not very damaging. 



578. Soil. The soil should be cool, moist, fertile and 

 friable. Sandy loams are preferred. In heavy soils the 

 roots are likely to be rough or ill-shaped, with a large 

 number of small, fibrous laterals. 



579. Varieties. Wide variation exists in the character 

 of the roots. In form they may be oblate, spherical, top- 

 shaped, oval, oblong, conical or conical-cylindrical. In 

 color they may be white, red, yellow, light brown, 

 orange, red, purple or black. Some varieties are espe- 

 cially valuable for early spring planting, others for sum- 

 mer use and others for winter. 



BECKERT'S CHARTIER is a favorite long radish, crim- 

 son, shading to white at the tip. It is a summer variety. 



CARDINAL GLOBE is a valuable globular-shaped radish 

 that matures very quickly. 



CHINESE ROSE and NEW WHITE CHINESE are the most 

 popular winter varieties. 



