(From the Rouve Horticole).

ThE Madras, or Edible Pod Radish, was obtained in 1858 at the Edinburgh Botanical Garden by M. Courtois-Gerard, and was introduced into France by that skilful horticulturist it is an annual plant, of tall, bushy, and vigorous habit. The root is turbinate, conical, white inside and out, having a total length of 30 centimetres or more, and a diameter of 10 to 12 centimetres at the largest part, which is near the neck. [A centimetre is about four-tenths of an inch; a metre about thirty-nine inches.] The tendency is, to strike a strong, deep tap-root. The stem is about one metre high, and about two to three centimetres in diameter. It is straight, of a clear green color, spotted with red, smooth, and furnished from the bottom upwards with numerous branches, upright and undivided at the base, spreading and sub-divided at the top. The leaves, 40 to 45 centimetres long, and 15 to 20 centimetres broad, are nearly sessile, lyrate, with deep, wide divisions, smooth on the upper surface, slightly pubescent on the under side, mostly near the edges.

The form of the leaves changes with their height on the stem, the upper leaves being petiolate, entire, lanceolate, and dentate.

The inflorescence, as in all the erucifero, is corymbose, but becomes racemose by the elongation of the axis. The flowers are regular. The calyx of four converging sepals becomes of a rosy tint in the expanded flower. The corolla is formed of four petals placed cross form, spread, of a clear violet color, showing a network of veins of dark violet, or white mixed with pale violet; the four long stamens extend beyond the throat of the flower; the two short ones reach only to the opening, as does also the pistil, which is terminated by an obtuse stigma. The seed pods attain the length of 30 centimetres, with a diameter of 1 1/2 centimetres at the base. Their ordinary size is as represented in the figure. They are erect, and form an angle with the pedicle; are of the shape of a cone very much elongated, showing, in the lower half, swellings corresponding to the compartments containing the seeds. There is a slight contraction at the base, and the summit is a long conical point or beak. The shells of the pods are thick and fleshy; the seeds, single in each compartment, are oval, of a bright reddish brown, slightly rough, about four-tenths centimetre long, and three-tenths centimetre thick.

This plant was labelled at the Edinburgh Botanical Garden, Raphanus caudatus of Linnaeus. M. McNab, the director of the Garden, received the seeds from India with the designation of Madras Radish, It differs considerably from the drawing and description of the Raphanus caudatus as given by Linnaeus. The Swedish botanist states that the seed pods, called Mougri by the Indians, attain the length 1.65 metre; but, according to Schkur, they are not often more than 33 centimetres, which corresponds with the dimensions noted by M. Courtois-Gerard. In the notice on this subject presented to the Societi Centrale d'Horticulture, M. Duchartre regards this radish as merely a variety of the common radish (Raphanus satious of Linnaeus). The reasons given by our learned associate do not, however, appear to us perfectly convincing. Be that as it may, we do not perceive any objection to its retaining the name of Madras Radish, by which it was introduced by M. Courtois-Gerard.

THE MADRAs RADISH.

THE MADRAs RADISH.

There is a variety of this plant with white flowers, pods of a paler green and more fibrous texture, and larger roots,.

The culture is easy. It adapts itself to the most meagre soils, but prefers a good free loam. To be able to gather it for a long time, it is sown at different times from March to the commencement of August, but the end of June and beginning of July are the best periods. It is sown where it is to remain, at distances of about two metres each way, placing two seeds in each place. It is watered a few times, especially the earlier sowings. The seeds, which retain for a long time their power of germinating, push in three or four days. The surplus plants can be removed, with a ball of earth, to fill vacancies.

By sowing on a bed of salads or spinach, there is the double advantage of economizing land and hastening the crop, as the plant comes forward more rapidly than when grown on a naked soil.

In some localities, as, for example, in the calcareous plains of Montrouge, the Madras Radish has been attacked by the flea, which, as is well known, has a marked predilection for the cruciferae. At Themes, M. Courtois-Gerard has noticed but few of this insect, but an abundance of the green fly, (aphis,) from which he freed his plants by frequent waterings.

The root of this radish is edible, and has nearly the taste of our common radish. When it is too old, it becomes fibrous and hollow - a mere fleshy shell.

The most remarkable characteristic of this plant is the spicy taste of the seed pods, analogous, in this respect, to the common radish. In order to make this peculiarity available, it is necessary to gather them before their maturity; at a later stage of growth they become insipid and leathery. Those of the white-flowered variety are inferior in quality.

In general it may be remarked that the size, color, and quality of the seed pods are in inverse ratio to the development of the root; there is, therefore, no advantage in substituting the Madras Radish for the ordinary kinds, if the root only is wanted. This is not the case, however, if the plant is cultivated for its fruit, which, according to our experience, is perfectly competent to figure as a side dish on our tables.

The plant is very prolific, as may be seen by the figure, and this, too, in a small space, making it desirable for small gardens. We should add, that, without being exactly ornamental, the flowers are not without agreeableness, particularly the white and lilac varieties. It is quite possible that the fruit will make a desirable pickle, to which use the Raphanus caudatus is applied at Madras, as we learn from Linnaeus.

[The seed of the Madras Radish was introduced here this spring, and we have it growing. Its value, whatever it may be, will therefore soon be known. - Ed].