ROOTS AND TUBERS WE EAT 165 



and best specimens. After a whole season of 

 growth, roots may be dug that are fine in quality 

 and form. Better leave them till they have made 

 a second season's growth. 



The name, radish, comes from the Latin, radix, 

 meaning root. Horse, as prefixed to plant names, 

 means coarse, big, unfit for human food, though 

 possibly relished by horses. Any one who has 

 tried to eat fresh horse radish knows that "a very 

 little of it goes a great way ! " Grating the cleaned 

 roots is a tearful occupation, much like peeling 

 onions. The reason that the prepared horse 

 radish one buys is so mild is that it is adulterated 

 copiously with grated turnip, a poor relation that 

 costs less than the genuine, and is harmless, though 

 a cheat when so used. If one does not raise the 

 plants, it is best to buy the roots and do the grating 

 at home. 



TURNIPS 



If they had been turned at a lathe they would 

 scarcely be more smooth and evenly rounded — 

 the turnips we see harvested in the fall for market, 

 or to be stored for winter use. The name, turnip, 

 means " turned. " They are flattened, or long and 

 tapering, or globular, but all are round. They 

 would roll over and over, in one direction. 



