METHOD OF CULTIVATING THE HORSE-RADISH. 123 



constant delight to a florist, which cannot be felt but by the lover of flowers ; 

 and this entirely independent of the beauty of their colours, or the elegance of 

 their forms. 



The polyanthus is cultivated in many respects like the auricula ; but being a 

 much hardier plant, and less impatient of cold and moisture, is seldom advanced 

 to the stage, or potted, and is therefore successfully grown on shady borders in 

 the open ground. The forms and disposition of the tints of the flowers of both 

 the polyanthus and auricula ought to correspond, in order to meet the admiration 

 and notice of the professional florist. For instance, the colours must be clear 

 and distinct ; the central opening, or throat, should be surrounded by a raised 

 cup, and well filled with the anthers ; if only the style be seen, the flower is said 

 to be pin-eyed and worthless, notwithstanding both its form and colours are 

 unexceptionable. It must be confessed, however, that there are certain fanciful 

 refinements in judging of flowers, which cannot be said to be always consistent 

 with pure taste. 



AN EXCELLENT METHOD OF CULTIVATING HORSE-RADISH, 

 FOR THE . USE OF THE TABLE. 



BY DAVID CAMERON, A.L.S., Botanic Garden, Edgbaston. 



Horse-radish being an article used in almost every family, and being some- 

 times, when planted in light poor soil, difficult to be obtained of a good size, and 

 in clean straight sticks, the following method of growing it is recommended to the 

 readers of the Floral Cabinet, by attention to which the produce will be much 

 improved both in flavour and quality beyond that which is usually obtained by 

 the ordinary method of cultivation; but more particularly that cultivated in 

 poor light soils. 



In the beginning of March, if the weather be dry, trench as much ground as 

 is wanted for the purpose three feet deep, mixing with the soil a good portion of 

 half-rotten manure, and then level the bed. Take up the old bed of horse- 

 radish, which is best done by opening a trench full three feet deep at the one 

 side, and working over the whole bed to that depth so as to ensure the getting 

 up the roots at their full length. Those fit for use should be selected, cutting off 

 the crowns with about three inches of the root attached. These crowns are the 

 sets for the new bed, which must be planted in rows eighteen inches asunder, and 

 the plants eight inches apart in the rows. Take a stick two inches in diameter, 

 and with it make holes full two feet deep, into each of which drop one of the 

 crowns of the horse-radish, taking care that the crowns reach the bottom of the 

 holes. When the whole is planted, rake the bed over to fill the cavities. As the 

 sets grow, the crowns will ascend erect until they reach the surface, forming long 

 straight sticks, which will be ready for taking up in the following spring. When 

 taken up, their crowns should be preserved for planting the next bed. 



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