184 



Root Crops 



the roots will be exposed, and they may then be removed. 

 Subsequent plowing and dragging will often expose still 

 others. It is usually impossible to get all the roots out of 

 the land, but if the ground is occupied with other crops 

 and is kept in good tillage, the 

 horse-radish should not become a 

 nuisance. 



The roots are washed and 

 trimmed before they are sent to 

 market. For special trade, the 

 roots may be tied in bunches of 

 6 or 8, but the crop is generally 

 marketed in barrels or in bulk. 

 As the roots must be grated (Fig. 

 94) before they are used, it is 

 necessary that they be long, sym- 

 metrical, uniform and as large as 

 possible in order to fit the grat- 

 ing machines. Small and branchy 

 horse-radish can scarcely be sold 

 at any price. From 3 to 5 tons 

 (or more) should be raised on an 

 acre, the latter quantity when the 

 ground is deep and rich and 

 when the plants do not suffer for moisture. 



94. Two kinds of hand- 

 power horse-radish 

 graters. 



The Horse-Radish Plant 



Armoracia. Crucifercr. A few species of herbs in Europe 

 and Asia. The horse-radish has an involved synonomy. due 

 (1) to different interpretations of generic limits, as to whether 

 it should go in one genu? or another; (2) to the nomencla- 



