164 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



kept within bounds, they will continue to extend themselves 

 till killed by the frosts, and in that way expend that nourish- 

 ment, which, by pruning off the superfluous growths, would 

 be directed to the formation and maturity of the fruit. The 

 whole plant is rather ornamental, but particularly so when in 

 fruit; they may, therefore, be planted against the walls of 

 houses, or in a favourable situation in the pleasure-ground, 

 and in the most unfavourable ones they may be forwarded in 

 large pots, and placed in any of the forcing-houses till they 

 have fully formed their fruit, when they may be set out m a 

 w^arm situation to ripen, or they may even be grown upon 

 slight hot-beds, covered with a frame and lights, and trained 

 like cucumbers. In unfavourable seasons, the fruit may be 

 taken off in clusters, attached to a portion of the branch, 

 while yet in an unripe state, and hung up in any of the hot- 

 houses, where they will ripen in a few days. 



PLANTING RADISHES FOR SEED. 



The beginning of this month is the proper season for the 

 transplantation of radishes for seed, and it should be done 

 when the roots have attained their full maturity. The growth 

 of them wili be accelerated if the advantage be taken of showery 

 weather. 



The roots selected for seed should be long, and perfectly 

 straight with short tops, and some attention must be paid 

 to the color of the root. If the common red, or short- 

 topped radish be the sort selected, the preference should be 

 given to those that are of a clear pale red, as they possess the 

 properties of crispness and mildness in a greater degree than 

 those of a dark red color. If the salmon-radish be selected 

 for seed, the palest colored roots should be planted. 



The transplantation of radishes for seed is by no means a 

 matter of minor importance, for were they allowed to run to 

 seed in their natural bed, that degree of nicety could not be 

 observed in the selection of the sorts, which is presented by 

 the system of drawing up a number of roots, and choosing only 

 those, which possess the proper requisites. 



