CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 347 



are trimmed or prepared for market. The longest pieces 

 produce the largest roots. They generally range from 

 4 to 6 inches in length and average about ^4 inch in 

 diameter. As these roots are nearly uniform in girth, 

 they are cut square at the top to denote which end is to 

 be planted up ; the lower end is always cut obliquely. 

 They should be tied into bundles of convenient size, 

 packed in sand and stored in a cool, moist place until 

 wanted for planting. Some growers prefer to bury in a 

 well-drained soil. Crowns may be planted, but they pro- 

 duce a large number of small, branched roots which are 

 unsatisfactory for grating or grinding. 



472. Culture. Rotten stable manure is often employed 

 in the culture of horse-radish. It should be plowed un- 

 der rather than used as a top-dressing, because surface 

 applications are thought to encourage branching on the 

 upper portion of the roots. High-grade commercial fer- 

 tilizers can also be profitably used. The soil prepara- 

 tion should be early, deep and thorough. The roots 

 are generally planted obliquely or perpendicularly, with 

 the tops 3 to 5 inches below the surface, although 

 some growers prefer to place them horizontally. Fur- 

 rows of the proper depth should first be made if the crop 

 is to be planted alone, and the roots then placed 15 to 18 

 inches apart, with space enough between rows to operate 

 a horse cultivator. Horse-radish is often used as a com- 

 panion crop, when the roots may be planted with a spade, 

 dibber or crowbar. (See Chapter XXIII.) Thorough 

 tillage should be given throughout the season. The con- 

 ditions are most favorable for rapid root growth during 

 the cool weather of early fall. 



473. Harvesting and storing. As the roots are per- 

 fectly hardy, they may be left in the ground all winter 

 if desired. Extensive growers dig a portion of the crop 

 late in the fall, burying it in the ground or storing in 

 root cellars or pits until sold. It is customary to harvest 



