The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 13

SPRING OR SUMMER RADISHES.

These varieties are all comparatively hardy, and may be sown in the open ground as early in spring as the soil is in good working condition. The earliest spring Radishes are grown as follows: "In January, February, or March, make a hot-bed three feet and a half wide, and of a length proportionate to the supply required. Put upon the surface of the dung six inches of well-pulverized earth; sow the seeds broadcast, or in drills five inches apart; and cover half an inch deep with fine mould.

When the plants have come up, admit the air every day in mild or tolerably good weather by tilting the upper end of the light, or sometimes the front, one, two, or three inches high, that the Radishes may not draw up long, pale, and weak. If they have risen very thick, thin them, while young, to about one inch apart. Be careful to cover the sashes at night with garden mats, woollen carpeting, or like material.

Water with tepid water, at noon, on sunny days. If the heat of the bed declines much, apply a moderate lining of warm dung or stable-litter to the sides, which, by gently renewing the heat, will soon forward the Radishes for pulling. Remember, as they advance in growth, to give more copious admissions of air daily, either by lifting the lights in front several inches, or, in fine, mild days, by drawing the lights mostly off; but be careful to draw them on early, before the sun has much declined and the air become cool."

EARLY BLACK.

Noir Hatif. _Vil._

Bulb nearly spherical, slightly elongated or tapering, nearly of the size and form of the Gray Turnip-rooted; skin dull black, rough, and wrinkled; flesh white, solid, crisp, and piquant; leaves of the size of those of the Gray Turnip-rooted. Season intermediate between that of the last named and the Black Spanish.

EARLY LONG PURPLE.

Rave Violette Hative. _Vil._

A sub-variety of the Long Purple, earlier and of smaller size.

EARLY PURPLE TURNIP-ROOTED.

A few days earlier than the Scarlet Turnip-rooted. Size, form, and flavor nearly the same.

EARLY SCARLET TURNIP-ROOTED.

Rond Rose Hatif. _Vil._

Bulb spherical, or a little flattened,--often bursting or cracking longitudinally before attaining its full dimensions; skin deep scarlet; flesh rose-colored, crisp, mild, and pleasant; neck small; leaves few in number, and of smaller size than those of the common Scarlet Turnip-rooted. Season quite early,--two or three days in advance of the last named.

As a variety for forcing, it is considered one of the best; but the small size of the leaves renders it inconvenient for bunching, and it is consequently less cultivated for the market than many other sorts.

Extensively grown in the vicinity of Paris.

EARLY WHITE TURNIP-ROOTED.

Rond Blanc Hatif. _Vil._

Skin and flesh white; form similar to that of the Scarlet Turnip-rooted.

It is, however, of smaller size, and somewhat earlier. An excellent sort, and much cultivated.

GRAY OLIVE-SHAPED.

Form similar to the Scarlet Olive-shaped. Skin gray; flesh white, crisp, and well flavored.

GRAY TURNIP-ROOTED.

Gray Summer. Round Brown. _Trans._

The form of this variety may be called round, though it is somewhat irregular in shape. It grows large, and often becomes hollow. It should, therefore, be used while young, or when not more than an inch or an inch and a half in diameter. The outside coat is mottled with greenish-brown, wrinkled, and often marked with transverse white lines. The flesh is mild, not so solid as that of many varieties, and of a greenish-white color. The leaves are similar to those of the Yellow Turnip-rooted, growing long and upright, with green footstalks. Half early, and a good variety for summer use.

LONG PURPLE. _Thomp._

Root long, a large portion growing above ground; skin deep purple; flesh white, and of good flavor.

The seed-leaves, which are quite large, are used as a small salad. The variety is early, and good for forcing. When the green tops are required for salading, the seeds should be sown in drills, as mustard or cress.

LONG SALMON. _Trans._

Long Scarlet Salmon.

This variety has been considered synonymous with the Long Scarlet; but it is really a distinct sort. The neck of the root rises about an inch above the ground, like that of the Scarlet, but it is of a paler red; and this color gradually becomes lighter towards the middle, where it is a pale-pink or salmon color. From the middle, the color grows paler downwards, and the extremity of the root is almost white. In shape and size, this Radish differs nothing from the Scarlet; nor does it appear to be earlier, or to possess any qualities superior to the Scarlet Radish, the beauty of which, when well grown, exceeds that of any other Long Radish.

LONG SCARLET. _Thomp._

Early Scarlet Short-top. Early Frame.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Long Scarlet Radish.]

Root long, a considerable portion growing above the surface of the ground,--outside, of a beautiful, deep-pink color, becoming paler towards the lower extremity; flesh white, transparent, crisp, and of good flavor, having less pungency than that of the Scarlet Turnip; leaves small, but larger than those of the last-named variety.

When of suitable size for use, the root measures seven or eight inches in length, and five-eighths or three-fourths of an inch in diameter at its largest part.

The Long Scarlet Radish, with its sub-varieties, is more generally cultivated for market in the Eastern, Middle, and Western States, than any other, or perhaps even more than all other sorts. It is very extensively grown about London, and is everywhere prized, not only for its fine qualities, but for its rich, bright color. It is also one of the hardiest of the Radishes; and is raised readily in any common frame, if planted as early as February.

OLIVE-SHAPED SCARLET.

Oblong Rose-colored. _Thomp._

[Ill.u.s.tration: Olive Scarlet Radish.]

Bulb an inch and a half deep, three-fourths of an inch in diameter, oblong, somewhat in the form of an olive, terminating in a very slim tap-root; skin fine scarlet; neck small; leaves not very numerous, and of small size; flesh rose-colored, tender, and excellent. Early, and well adapted for forcing and for the general crop.

PURPLE TURNIP-ROOTED.

This is a variety of the Scarlet Turnip-rooted; the size, form, color, and quality being nearly the same. The skin is purple. It is considered a few days earlier than the last named.

SCARLET TURNIP-ROOTED.

Crimson Turnip-rooted.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Scarlet Turnip-Rooted.]