208 RHUBARB. 



and the plants may be thinned to two or three 

 inches. As radishes are soon removed, it does no 

 harm, and saves ground, to sow broadcast a little of 

 the seed along with any drilled crop, such as onions, 

 carrots, or spinach. The turnip-rooted is a neat 

 pretty little bite ; and of the long-rooted it is re- 

 markable, that if it be sown in holes made with a 

 small dibble and left open the plant will grow 

 thicker and more tender. This accords with what 

 was observed in regard to leeks, and may perhaps 

 be true of some other plants. The young seed 

 pods of the radish afford a subsistence for capsicums. 

 Rhubarb Excellent for tarts in the early part 

 of the season, before gooseberries make their ap- 

 pearance. Two sorts of it are cultivated ; that 

 having the pointed and palmated leaf springs earlier, 

 but does not sooner get ready for use ; the other, 

 which is rounder, and not so deeply cut in the leaf, 

 has a thicker leaf stalk, and is best for the table. 

 The roots of both are medicinal; but it is not cer- 

 tain that either sort is the same as that which 

 yields the Turkey rhubarb. To have a good supply 

 for tarts, set a dozen or more of cuttings of the 

 roots, reserving to each a part of the crown or top, 

 on deep rich ground, in rows four feet apart and 

 three feet distant in the row, taking care to have 

 none less than a yard from the walk or box edging. 

 As soon as the leaves have decayed, dig, with plenty 

 of manure, between the plants, avoiding the roots, 

 and taking care not to crush the buds, which are 

 scarcely visible, but on which the crop for next 



