82 THE SEED-GROWER. 
early crop by market gardeners. Many of the larger 
seed-dealers will handle thousands of pounds of radish 
seed in course of a single season. The demand runs 
mostly to early varieties; red turnip, long scarlet and 
half long scarlet being the kinds most popular. 
Nine-tenths of the seed used by the American trade is 
imported from Europe, the remainder is grown in this 
country. European seed forms the standard for the 
market, owing to the great care taken in its production. 
Most of the American seed is grown in California; 
the total annual production there being upwards of 
100,000 pounds. Seed of excellent quality is also 
grown in other States, mostly in New England, Penn- 
sylvania and Michigan. In fact, all the first-class 
radish seed in demand could and should be produced 
in this country at prices on a par with Europe. 
In a good season, about 1,000 pounds of seed per 
acre are an average yield, but exceptional crops have 
been known of 1,500 pounds. Prices laid down in 
New York for either American or European seed, range 
from ten to fifteen cents per pound to the grower. 
RHUBARB. 
The usual method of propagation is by root, as seed 
rarely produces roots equal to the parent. The main 
root is separated so that each division contains an eye; 
these divisions are used for planting. 
Seed, however, may be gathered from the plant. It 
is produced on the main stalk. The stalks after being 
cut, should be allowed to become perfectly dry before 
threshing, which is done with a machine or with a flail 
on a cloth on the floor, or seed may be rubbed off 
between the hands. 
Seed-dealers handle both seed and roots in a limited 
