VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 289 



seven or eight inches of the glass. On open ground crops 

 can be made for fall use, if desired, by sowing in succes- 

 sion, after the summer heats are over, until about the time 

 of the first frosts. With the first opening of spring, com- 

 mence planting in the open ground, and sow every week 

 or two until the dry, hot weather comes on. In the low 

 country South, they may be grown all winter, with no 

 other protection than a little litter thrown over the beds 

 in severe frosts. As birds are very fond of the seed, it is 

 sometimes necessary to protect the beds with nets. Rad- 

 ishes are of such rapid growth, that they will generally 

 take care of themselves after planting in a good soil, but 

 hoeing once will hasten their growth. 



For Seed. — Some of the finest and earliest can remain 

 where grown, or be removed to another bed and inserted 

 up to their leaves. Water frequently until established, 

 and while the flowers are opening. Let the roots be three 

 feet apart, and do not permit any others to flower near 

 them, if pure seeds are desired. When the pods turn dry, 

 gather, dry, thresh out, and save in paper bags. The seed 

 will keep three years. 



Use. — The tops used to be boiled for greens. The seed 

 leaves, when they first appear, are used as a salad, with 

 cress and mustard, and the seed-pods, gathered young, 

 form a good pickle, and are a substitute for capers. 



There is a species, Itaphanus caudatus, or Rat-tailed 

 radish, of which the pod grows a foot or more in length, 

 with a peculiar pungent but delicate flavor, and it may 

 be eaten like the root, or pickled. It is from Java. 



But of the common species the roots are the parts 

 mainly used. They are much relished, while young and 

 crisp, for the breakfast table. They contain little beside 

 water, woody fiber, and acrid matter ; so they cannot be 

 very nourishing or wholesome. When young, and of 

 good varieties, they are much more digestible than when 

 older and more fibrous. 

 13 



