274 The Principles of Vegetable- Gardening 



relatively little grown here. They are said to be popu- 

 lar in China and Japan. They are usually sown late 

 in the season, as late turnips are, and the roots may 

 be kept over winter as other roots are kept. 



Radishes are usually treated as a companion -crop 

 when grown in the open field. They may be sown in 

 drills between the rows of cabbages, peas or other, 

 later-maturing vegetables. Sometimes they are sown 



Fig. 61. Seedlings of radish. Nearly natural size. 



directly in the drill with the other vegetables. The 

 seeds are quick to germinate and thereby break the 

 crust and mark the row and thus facilitate tillage, and 

 the roots may be harvested before the other crops need 

 the space. For family use, radishes are often grown 

 in beds by themselves. In clean, friable land they are 

 sometimes sown broadcast. If the soil is loose and 

 rich, radishes should come to edible maturity in four 

 to six weeks. The roots are of better quality when they 

 are relatively small and crisp. When growth ceases the 

 roots become stringy, bitter and often hollow. Sow at 



