250 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



Raphanus Sativus — Radish. 



The radisli is an annual, a native of China and Persia, 

 and was cultivated as early as 1584, being one of the 

 plants mentioned by Girard. The lower leaves are lyrate ; 

 stem about two feet high, with pale violet flowers; the 

 root fleshy, spindle or globular shaped, of various colors. 

 Thgre are two kinds of radish, the spindle-rooted, and the 

 globular or turnip-rooted. These are again divided into 

 early and late varieties, among which we will notice : — 



Early Scarlet Short Top. — Root long and spindle-shaped ; 

 leaves very short. It is the earliest, most crisp and mild 

 flavored, and requires less space than the other varieties. 



Salmon. — A few days later ; not so high colored ; other- 

 wise similar to the above. 



Red Turnip. — ^Named from its shape, and bears the heat 

 better, without becoming hard, but not so good as the 

 above. 



White Turnijp.—L\kQ the last, in everything except 

 color. 



Yellow Summer. — This is a turnip-rooted variety, named 

 from its color, and will stand the heat better than any 

 other variety. 



Black Winter or Spanish. — Turnip-shaped, and very 

 large ; sown in August or September with turnips. It 

 can be gathered from the ground as desired during the 

 winter.* 



Early Oval Rose Radish, and Chinese Rose Winter Radish, are 

 two new sorts. The former Mr. Barry considers the best variety for 

 forcing and the early crop, coming into use sooner than any other 

 variety. Tiie latter he describes as "far superior in appearance, as 

 well as in tenderness and delicacy, to any other winter sort, and 

 keeps well." These are good varieties, as I have proved ; so also is 

 the Field Radish, introduced by the Patent Office from France for 

 stock ; a good winter variety for the table, and liked by stock." 



