.The Canadian Horticulturist. 423 



surface watered. By this latter method we always got a much ranker growth of 

 top and a proportionately smaller growth of root. When pulled for market the 

 tops would frequently weigh more than the roots, and many plants with unusually 

 large tops would have a small, tough, spindling root, which was worthless. 

 Under sub-irrigation the tops are comparatively small and the roots large, the 

 latter more than double the weight of the former, and well developed in almost 

 every plant. At the very lowest estimate, our radishes yield fifty per cent, better 

 in merchantable roots under sub-irrigation than they did by surface watering. 

 The average weight of our radishes when marketed this year was a trifle over 

 one-half ounce each. This would make three ounces per bunch, or two and 

 one-quarter pounds per dozen bunches. The varieties grown in the forcing 

 house were French Breakfast, Round Dark Red, Early Fame, and Red Forcing 

 Turnip. — Prof. Lazenbv. 



HOW I GREW THE MAMMOTH SQUASH FOR THE 



WORLD'S FAIR. 



V land is naturally well drained, being of a gravelly for- 

 mation, with about sixteen inches of clay loam on top. 

 It is kept in good condition by an annual application of 

 manure In order to grow a Mammoth Squash I pre- 

 pared for each hill a compost of two barrow loads of hen 

 manure, and four of good soil, mixed well together. 

 This I did about the first of April, near the place 

 intended for the hills. After two weeks I mixed the compost well again, and 

 about the first of May I mixed thoroughly with four barrow loads of well-rotted 

 manure, keeping all well covered from the rain. On the eighteenth of May I 

 ploughed in a heavy coat of manure, and then dug out my hills seven feet in 

 diameter and six inches deep. Then I mixed the best of the soil that was thrown 

 out of the hill with the compost as it was thrown into the hill. In this way I 

 made a hill about six inches above tne level of the ground, and about ten feet 

 in diameter. 



I planted three or four seeds in each hill, and when well started, I thinned 

 out to one plant, always keeping the ground well worked up. When the vine 

 had grown out three or four feet, I mulched it around, to a distance of ten feet 

 from the root on all sides, with horse manure, about three inches deep. I kept 

 the hills well watered, and I staked each vine down as they ran, so that they 

 took root at every joint. 



As soon as I had a good specimen on a vine, well started, I pruned off the 

 others. I also nipped the ends of the vines, not allowing them to increase in 

 length ; and I kept all blossom buds carefully nipped outr - In this way I grew 

 the Mammoth Squash weighing 365 pounds, which was considered such a 

 curiosity in the Canadian vegetable exhibit at the World's Fair. 



Goderich, Out. Wm. Warnock. 



