or eight ounces of Radish seed to supply a family fully the whole season, though some writers amuse us by saying an ounce or two is enough. They must never have sown an ounce of Radish seed and seen its produce. If the weather is dry, at any of the sowings, the seed should have a few waterings, till it is fairly above ground; and even when they are growing, it is of much service in rendering the roots more crisp and better flavored.
Forcing Radishes.—Very little artificial heat is required to grow them in perfection. Make a gentle hot-bed about eighteen inches thick, on which place a frame. Fill in one foot of good, light, rich soil. After it remains a few days, to get warm throughout, sow the seeds rather thickly. Spread a small portion of fine soil over them; give the whole a gentle press with the back of the spade; put on the sash, and keep close till the seeds appear above ground; then air freely. If the plants are thick, thin them out at once to about an inch apart; water occasionally when the soil appears to get dry. If sashes are not to be obtained, shutters and mats make a tolerable substitute, and after the first of March, will do perfectly, though forcing early crops cannot succeed without the use of good glass sash. The best variety of Radish for the purpose is the Long Scarlet Early Short-top, or a variety of it called Early Frame. We have already alluded to the practice of sowing Radishes among the Cauliflower and Winter Lettuce.
Radishes sown for Seed should be kept apart from any other variety. If they are within three hundred yards of each other, they will mix. Where the Early Scarlet is wished very pure, it is our practice to transplant a few thousand every season to seed for early forcing. If it cannot be kept so far apart, save the seeds of two kinds every year, for three years; you will then have six sorts in culture, and the seed will keep three years perfectly, if in a dry place.
