294 The Principles of Vegetable - Gardening 



HORSE-RADISH 



A very deep^ cool, rich soil and late-season growth are 

 the essentials for success iu the raising of horse-radish. 

 It is perfectly hardy. Propagated by root cuttings. 



Horse-radish is grown for its root, which has a 

 pungent quality that makes it prized as a relish. It is 

 perennial, the roots enlarging and becoming woody for 

 several years. As a commercial crop, however, it is 

 grown wholly as an annual, being propagated from 

 cuttings of the small side roots. These cuttings are 

 made from the trimmings when the roots are dressed 

 for market. A good cutting should be from the size of a 

 lead pencil up to that of one^s little finger. It is usu- 

 ally made from 4 to 7 inches long, and the lower end 

 is cut slanting in order to designate the right end up. 

 These cuttings or sets are tied in bundles and stored in 

 the cellar or pit, as the roots are. They may be planted 

 at the first opening of spring, but since the plant makes 

 the larger part of its growth late in the season, it is 

 customary to hold them rather late and to plant them 

 with some other crop They are often planted in the 

 rows of early cabbages or beets. When the cabbages 

 are off, the horse-radish takes the land. The sets are 

 dropped right end up in furrows or holes, which are 

 made with a strong -pointed stick or crowbar. They 

 are usually placed in a somewhat slanting position, 

 although the upright position is probably as good. The 

 top of the cutting usually stands 3 to 5 inches below 

 the top of the soil. This deep planting delays the 

 appearing of the plants and thus prevents interference 



