248 VEGETABLE FORCING 
Scarlet Globe or one of its numerous strains. Among the 
varieties which are most commonly grown under glass 
may be mentioned Cardinal Globe, White-Tipped Scarlet 
Globe, Colonial Forcing, Carmine and Fireball. 
Soil.—The finest radishes are invariably grown in soils 
containing a considerable quantity of sand. The roots in 
such soils are smoother and more uniform in shape than 
when they are grown in clay or silt soils, and less labor 
is required to wash them. Excellent roots may be pro- 
duced in heavy soils which are well supplied with or- 
ganic matter, though sand should be added to the beds if 
it is possible or feasible to do so. Sand also decreases the 
chances of heavy losses from the attack of damping-off 
fungi, and facilitates sowing, thinning and cultivating. 
Fertilizing.—_Experiments and practical tests made with 
commercial fertilizers for radishes have not given as good 
results as manure alone. Wheeler (Rhode Island Bulletin 
128) reports that no combination of commercial fertilizer 
applied with short-cut straw (the latter mixed with the 
soil in sufficient quantity to alter its physical properties) 
gave as good results as well-decayed stable manure used 
at the rate of 75 tons to the acre. It is necessary to have 
an abundance of available plant food, but suitable physical 
properties of the soil are of greater importance than the 
mere question of plant food. The radish does not thrive 
in any soil which is lacking in vegetable matter. The soil 
must be loose and friable, and for this reason manure 
gives better results than do commercial fertilizers. It is 
possible that fertilizers can be used to advantage under 
certain conditions, but the radish does not seem to re- 
spond well to their application. 
Fresh stable manure should never be applied immedi- 
ately before sowing radishes, for it is favorable to ex- 
cessive top growth instead of to satisfactory root develop- 
ment. The manure should be at least several months old 
and fine enough to mix well with the soil. An annual 
application of 40 tons of manure to the acre of greenhouse 
