CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 417 



RADISH (Raphanus sativus) 



575. History. — The radish, which has been cultivated 

 since earliest historic times, is indigenous to the temper- 

 ate regions of the old world (De Candolle, "Origin of 

 Cultivated Plants," p. 29). People of many countries 

 consume the roots in large quantities. 



576. Importance. — The radish is particularly impor- 

 tant in this country as a spring and early summer crop. 

 It is easily grown. The roots attain edible size in three 

 to six weeks from time of sowing. As it is highly ap- 

 preciated as a salad plant, immense quantities are grown 

 by market gardeners supplying the city markets. It is 

 also a profitable crop with some of the southern truckers, 

 who ship to markets of the northern states. 



577. Climatic requirements. — This is a cool- weather 

 plant, but may be grown under a wide range of climatic 

 conditions. If the supply of soil moisture is ample, high 

 temperatures are not very damaging. 



578. Soil. — The soil should be cool, moist, fertile and 

 friable. Sandy loams are preferred. In heavy soils the 

 roots are likely to be rough or ill-shaped, with a large 

 number of small, fibrous laterals. 



579. Varieties. — Wide variation exists in the character 

 of the roots. In form they may be oblate, spherical, top- 

 shaped, oval, oblong, conical or conical-cylindrical. In 

 color they may be white, red, yellow, light brown, 

 orange, red, purple or black. Some varieties are espe- 

 cially valuable for early spring planting, others for sum- 

 mer use and others for winter. 



Beckert's Chartier is a favorite long radish, crim- 

 son, shading to white at the tip. It is a summer variety. 



Cardinal Globe is a valuable globular-shaped radish 

 that matures very quickly. 



Chinese Rose and New White Chinese are the most 

 popular winter varieties. 



