Radishes  ; Rhid>arh. 
93 
Ringleader,  Sharpe’s  Victor,  Early  Puritan,  Webb’s  Express  ; 
and  as  these  varieties  realise  an  average  of  71.  per  ton,  I think 
they  may  be  considered  as  satisfactory. 
Potatoes  for  digging  early  do  not  require  so  much  space 
for  development  as  late  and  stronger-growing  varieties  ; and 
twenty  inches  from  row  to  row  and  fifteen  inches  from  plant  to 
plant  in  the  row  is  sufficient  to  produce  good  crops,  provided 
that  the  hints  at  the  commencement  of  this  subject  are  put 
into  practice. 
Radishes. — Radishes  are  usually  a good  paying  crop  if 
obtained  early,  and  if  the  roots  are  tender  and  juicy.  The  soil 
should  be  richly  manured  either  with  animal  manure  (which  is 
best)  or  with  four  parts  of  superphosphate  of  lime,  two  parts  of 
nitrate  of  soda  and  one  part  of  kainit.  The  mixture  should 
be  applied  at  the  rate  of  6 cwt.  per  acre.  The  seed  should  be 
sown  in  December  in  a sheltered  position,  and  covered  up  with 
straw  until  it  has  germinated  and  the  young  ])lants  appear, 
when  the  straw'  must  be  removed  in  the  morning  by  means  of  a 
wooden  rake  for  the  admission  of  light,  and  again  replaced  in 
the  evening  to  protect  the  plants  from  frost.  Shelter  from  the 
north  and  east  winds  should  be  provided  if  possible.  Later 
crops  are  obtained  from  seed  sown  in  more  open  positions  in 
January  and  February.  Sow  the  seed  broadcast,  rake  it  in, 
and  protect  from  birds  by  all  possible  means. 
Rhubarb. — This  is  a most  useful  crop  for  home  use,  and  a 
very  profitable  one  when  properly  grown  and  marketed.  Its 
value  varies  from  201.  to  601.  j)er  acre. 
Sow'  seed  in  March  in  drills  one  foot  apart,  and  w'hen  the 
plants  are  large  enough  to  handle  in  their  seedling  stage  thin 
them  out  to  nine  inches  apart  in  the  rows.  These  seedlings  may 
be  ti’ansplanted  to  their  permanent  position  during  the  follow'ing 
w'inter,  the  ground  having  been  previously  w'ell  manured  and 
deeply  cultivated  for  their  reception.  Plant  in  rows  four  feet 
apart,  with  the  plants  three  feet  apart  in  the  row's. 
Old  roots  may  be  divided  and  replanted  by  cutting  them  in 
pieces  with  one  or  more  buds  to  each.  They  should  be  planted 
four  feet  by  three  feet  apart. 
Rhubarb  is  easily  forced  by  lifting  the  roots  entirely  from 
the  ground  and  planting  them  closely  together  in  a dark  shed, 
cellar,  or  mushroom  house,  filling  the  interstices  between  the 
roots  with  soil  and  giving  a thorough  watering  with  water 
at  90”  F.  A mean  atmospheric  temperature  of  60“  F.  suits 
Rhubarb  admirably.  It  is  also  considerably  accelerated  in 
