160 VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



long clusters; seed vessels small, rounded and almost always 

 barren. Propagated by cuttings of the roots. 



Cultivation. — This plant delights in deep, moist soil, but will 

 grow in almost any situation and is very hardy. For home use 

 it is customary to let it remain in some neglected corner, where 

 it kills out everything else, and though treated in this way it 

 yields sufficient roots for home use; yet the roots are so crowded 

 that they are scarcely salable. When grown as a market crop 

 it is planted anew each year. Straight pieces of roots six or 

 eight inches long, called "sets" are planted about twelve inches 

 apart, in rows two feet apart early in the spring. The roots 

 must be set right end uppermost or they will not grow smooth 

 or straight. An iron bar is the most convenient tool for planting 

 the "sets.'' The top of the sets should be about two inches 

 below the surface. It is customary to grow horseradish as a sec- 

 ond crop after peas or cabbage, by setting the roots between 

 the rows of the first crop and cultivating the soil without re- 

 gard to them until the first crop is harvested. It does not seem 

 to hurt horseradish "sets" much if they are cut off a few times 

 in cultivating early in the season. When the first crop is gath- 

 ered the land is thoroughly cultivated, and the horseradish 

 plants given good care. This plant makes its greatest growth 

 in autumn a'^d is dug on the approach of winter or can be left 

 until spring. It must never be left two years on the same land, 

 or else great labor will be required to get rid of it, and the roots 

 will be so crooked as to be almost unsalable. Horseradish is 

 used almost entirely after grinding or grating the roots and mix- 

 ing with vinegar. It will keep for any length of time when thus 

 prepared and kept in air-tight packages. It is also ground and 

 dried, and the young leaves are sometimes used for greens. The 

 demand is limited, though considerable quantities are sold each 

 year. Under some conditions it is a paying crop, but the busi- 

 ness is very apt to be overdone. There are no varieties. 



WATER CRESS. (Nasturtium officinale.) 

 Native of Europe. — PerenniaL — An aquatic plant with long 

 Btems, which readily take root in moist soil or water. It is es- 

 teemed for use as a salad on account of its pleasant pungent 

 flavor. Leaves are compound, with roundish divisions; flowers 



