CHAPTER XVI 
RADISH 
Importance.—The radish is commonly forced near all 
large centers of population, though in commercial im- 
portance it does not approach lettuce, the tomato or the 
cucumber. While there is a large demand for forced 
radishes, it is an easy matter to overstock the markets. 
Most growers believe that the radish, as a forcing crop, 
does not pay as well as lettuce. On the other hand, 
many believe that the crop deserves more attention. It 
is one of our best salad crops and possesses special merit 
for garnishing or table decoration. Quick returns are 
obtained from it, and it can sometimes be grown with 
other crops, such as lettuce, and will thus add to the 
earnings of the house. The radish may be grown in low, 
cheap houses, where it is impossible to force the tomato 
or the cucumber. 
There are times when lettuce growers would find it 
profitable to devote some of their greenhouse space to 
the forcing of radishes and thus avoid market slumps of 
lettuce. It is not a difficult crop to produce under glass, 
though careful attention must be given to its various 
cultural requirements. 
Light.—Probably no vegetable forcing crop is more 
sensitive to shade or the lack of light than the radish. 
It may be grown successfully in old houses admitting 
the minimum amount of light, but the best results are 
obtained in houses of modern construction. Any ob- 
struction to the light and sunshine is certain to favor 
the development of tops rather than large roots. The 
shading of other classes of plants should be avoided as 
much as possible. 
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