RADISHES 393 



THE RADISH AS A FIELD CROP 



As a companion and succession crop. As a field crop the radish 

 is seldom given the entire use of the ground. It is nearly always 

 made a partner with some other crop which is to develop later and 

 which requires a longer season. Seeds of the radish are sometimes 

 used to mark the rows of a slow-germinating crop which grows with 

 corresponding slowness after appearing 'above the ground, so that 

 the occupation of the land by the radish for a comparatively short 

 time does not materially interfere with the growth of the main crop. 

 In the most intensive trucking areas of the United States, in the 

 vicinity of New York City, particularly on Long Island, the radish 

 is made to occupy the ground between rows of plants which later 

 are to give a return. Under these conditions as many as five or 

 six different crops, each maturing at a different date, are grown in 

 contiguous rows ; and as soon as one matures the ground is cleared 

 to give more space to the remaining crops. Such a combination as 

 the following may be employed. A row of radishes may be grown 

 between two rows of lettuce, and on each side of these three rows 

 two rows of peas, cabbage, or potatoes, the three crops coming 

 off in the following order : first, the radishes ; second, the lettuce ; 

 and finally the crop which occupies the rows farthest apart (see 

 figure i, page 6). 



Kind of soil. A soil suitable for growing crops of this sort in 

 combination must, of necessity, be exceedingly fertile, easily worked, 

 and in condition to permit cultivation early in the season ; it must 

 be what is known as a " quick " soil. Such soils are usually com- 

 posed of a combination of sand, clay, and humus, with sometimes 

 a small mixture of gravel. They warm up readily, are usually of a 

 dark color, do not retain an excessive amount of water, can be 

 cultivated soon after heavy rains, and yet contain organic matter 

 enough to guard against severe droughts. Soils having all these 

 qualities are seldom found. 



Preparation of the soil. If a soil contains the two primary in- 

 gredients, sand and clay, humus can be added by the use of stable 

 manure or by turning under green crops, such as clover, Canada 

 peas, cowpeas, rye, and other strong-growing plants. Corn is some- 

 times sown and plowed under early in its development for the 



