The Horse-radish 



181 



For the botanical account of turnips and rutabagas, see the 

 discussion of brassicaceous plants in Chapter IV (pages 95, 9G). 



HORSE-RADISH 

 Horse-radish is a 'perennial grown commercially as an 

 annual, propagated by root-cuttings (sets). It is perfectly 

 hardy. Groion usually as a coml)ination-crop and succes- 

 sion-crop, occupying the land completely late in the season, 

 when it rnakes its principal growth. It requires a very 

 deep and fertile soil. The grated or shredded root is used 

 as a piquant sauce and relish. 



Cuttings of the side roots are employed for propagation 

 directly in the field, and the plants stand 10 to 18 in., more 

 or less, in ro^ys far enough apart for good tillage, which is 

 usually 3 to 4 ft. if the plants are started between other crops. 

 The commercial yields are 3 to 5 tons to the acre, varying less 

 or more. 



Horse-radish FLEA-BEETLE (Phijllotreta armoraciw) . — A 

 black strongly convex flea-beetle about % In. long, having 

 each wing-cover yellowish except a narrow black stripe along 

 the outer margin and a wider one on the inner margin. The 

 eggs are laid in clusters on the petioles of the young leaves. 

 The larvjB burrow in the petioles. The beetles are more de- 

 structive early in the season and the larvse later. Control: 

 Spray the plants with bordeaux mixture containing 4 to 6 lbs. 

 arsenate of lead (paste) in .50 gals. Several applications may 

 be necessary. Change the location of the beds from time to 

 time in order to avoid the beetles. 



Spinach aphis {Myzus persicw). — See under Spinach. 



Harlequin cabbage bug (Murgantia histrionica) . — See under 

 Cabbage. 



Sharp distinction is to be made between the home-grown 

 supply of horse-radish and the commercially-raised product. 

 It is the same plant ; but in the home premises it is usually 



