- "The Radish is originally from the East Indies, but cultivated in Europe since the sixteenth century. Formerly the leaves were often boiled and stewed; but now the roots are chiefly employed. The young seedling leaves are often used with cress and mustard, as small salad, and radish seed pods, when of plump growth, but still young and green, are used to increase the variety of vegetable pickles, and are considered a tolerable substitute for capers.

"The well known manner in which this vegetable is cultivated, renders any observations thereon unnecessary. All that is required, is to point out the varieties which answer best at different seasons of the year. For the early crops, use the Long Scarlet Short Top; the Long Salmon, similar to the above, but of lighter colour, and white at the point; the Scarlet Turnip Rooted, and White Turnip Rooted; frequent sowings are necessary, as all the foregoing soon become pithy and shoot to seed. In flavour they differ but little; discrimination is from fancy. At the same time the early kinds are sown, make a sowing of the Yellow Turnip, and Summer White, which are fine kinds, withstand the heat, and are firm and crisp even in hot weather; frequent sowings of these, as well as the White Spanish or Black Spanish, as most liked, should be made during the summer months. The two latter kinds sown in the autumn, keep well throughout the winter, if secured from frost. In the autumn, any of the early kinds may be again sown; when about to do so, always observe to dig the earth deeply, and pulverize it well, which tends to produce fine shaped roots." - Rural Reg.

To Obtain Seed

Leave in April or early May, some of the most perfect plants of a main crop. When in full vigour they must be taken up with as little injury as possible to the roots and leaves, and planted in rows three feet asunder each way, being inserted by the dibble, completely down to the leaves. Water must be applied until they have taken root, and occasionally throughout their growth, especially when in flower. If practicable, it is best to leave some plants where raised.

To obtain seeds of the Black Spanish, some seeds must be sown in March, or some of the winter-standing crop left or transplanted during that month.

The flowers open from June until August, and their pods are of a size fit for pickling, as they must be gathered whilst young and tender, during that last month, or July. For seed, they must be cut as soon as they become of a brown hue, and well dried, otherwise it will thresh with difficulty.

Two varieties must never be raised near each other, and seed of the previous year's raising should always be employed.

Forcing

A moderate hot-bed is required for this crop, of a length according with that of "the frame to be employed ; the earth about eight inches deep, on the surface of which the seed is to be sown as soon as the violent heat is abated, and an additional half-inch sifted over it.

The seedlings are in general up in less than a week, and in six they will be ready to draw. Throughout their growth air must be admitted as freely as is allowable. The glasses, however, must be closed on the approach of evening, and mats or other covering put on in proportion to the severity of the season. When the earth appears at all dry, a light watering must be given during the noon.

The plants must not stand nearer than two inches to each other. The temperature required is from 50° to 7(P ; and it must be kept to this heat by moderate coatings as required.

If there be a deficiency of frames, hoops and mats may be employed, a frame of boards being formed round the bed, light and air being admitted as freely and as often as possible. If seed is sown within a frame without any bottom heat, the plants will be two or three weeks forwarder than if sown in the open ground.