RADISH 249 
space should give most excellent results. Some gardeners 
prefer to apply a light dressing of manure before each 
crop is started, though a heavy application in the fall will 
be sufficient to grow several crops. Inasmuch as it is 
not feasible to sterilize the soil before starting each crop, 
probably the better practice is to apply all of the manure 
in the fall, unless the grower is willing to take chances 
in using manure that has not been sterilized. 
Soil preparation—Directions for the preparation of 
soils for vegetable forcing are given on page 70. As pre- 
viously stated successful growers of radishes apply well- 
decayed manure to the beds either in the fall or before 
each crop is started. A more expensive plan is to compost 
sods and stable manure, but this is not considered prac- 
ticable on a large commercial scale. 
The turnip-rooted varieties may be grown successfully 
in beds only 4 inches deep. It is better, however, on ac- 
count of more favorable moisture conditions, to make the 
beds from 6 to 8 inches deep, and a greater depth will be 
an advantage from this standpoint. It is probable, how- 
ever, that the usual application of manure will give the 
best results when incorporated with the soil in beds that 
are not more than 8 inches deep. 
Seed.—Disappointments in the forcing of the radish 
are often due to the planting of poor seed. Sometimes 
the seed is old and does not germinate well, but the most 
common loss is from seed of impure strains. The roots 
from inferior seed may be small and ill-shaped, or a large 
percentage of the plants may not produce roots of market- 
able size. Sometimes the radishes do not have the char- 
acteristic shade or color, and this may result in a heavy 
loss if a special market is to be supplied. Poor seed may 
also produce large tops and small roots. 
When ordering radish seed it is important to specify 
that the best forcing strains are desired. Most of the seed 
houses have strains of special merit and these should be 
obtained if possible. 
