402 GARDEN FARMING 



group is usually sown about the last of July, or from that time on 

 to the middle of August, and at the approach of severe weather 

 the roots are lifted and packed in sandy soil, either in the vegetable 

 cellar or in a bank or pit on the outside, in the manner in which 

 potatoes and beets are sometimes buried. Otherwise, they require 

 the same cultivation as turnips or the early group of radishes. They 

 are not quite so exacting as to soil requirements as the early groups, 

 but in other respects their cultivation is much the same. The gen- 

 eral form of two good winter radishes is shown in figure 149. 



RAPE 



Rape is grown as both a spring and a fall crop, and while it is 

 not generally used as a salad plant, for greens it is considered by 

 many to be superior to mustard or kale. Not only is it valuable 

 as a table plant, but it is an important stock food in European 

 countries, and is now attracting considerable attention in this 

 country as fodder for cattle and hogs. Rape is succulent, stands 

 cold weather well, and during the winter season will furnish a con- 

 siderable amount of food at a comparatively small cost. If handled 

 carefully it can be used for dairy cattle as well as for stock cattle, 

 sheep, and hogs. As a salad plant, rape should be treated practi- 

 cally the same as kale (see pages 265-268). 



The chief enemy of rape is the cabbage louse, which is very 

 destructive during dry, hot weather. Seeding should therefore be 

 timed so that the plant will have the cooler and moister seasons 

 for its growth. 



RHUBARB 



Rhubarb is one of the few perennial plants always found in 

 the home vegetable garden. Because of its ability to store up 

 a reserve of food in its large fleshy roots, it responds quickly 

 to the touch of spring and, like asparagus, is one of the earliest 

 products of the garden. The succulent, acid, thickened leafstalks 

 afford a refreshing pie filler and sauce when stewed. The stalks 

 cut in cubes or dice are sometimes canned in cold water for 

 use as occasion requires. 



