Horse-Radish
(Cochlearia Armoracea). A well-known hardy perennial, naturalised in Britain and many other countries, and widely cultivated in the temperate regions of the Old World, from the earliest historic periods, for the use of its roots, when scraped into fine shreds, for culinary purposes. Large quantities of roots are imported, but the best home-grown crops are much superior. It grows in almost any position, and is frequently neglected on that account. The best and tenderest roots are those grown on rich soil, which must be of good depth, and, preferably, in a rather moist situation. In private gardens, a large quantity is not usually required, as the roots that have been partly used keep fresh and good, in damp sand, for a long time. Any pieces of root form a crown, and this is the usual method of propagation. The aim should be to obtain roots as large as possible before they are old enough to become hard. There are several methods of cultivation adopted by different growers for attaining this end, the following being considered amongst the most successful: Dig trenches from 2ft. to 3ft. deep, and, when filling them in, throw 15in. of the original top soil into the bottom; then place a layer of good manure over this, and dig it in, afterwards filling up the trench with the soil that was before in the bottom. When several trenches are being prepared, the first may be dug the full depth, and the soil from the one adjoining used as far as the trenches proceed. The object is to get the best soil down low, where the secondary or side roots are, and to have a poorer soil round the portion intended to be used. Some growers trench ground deeply, and make holes with a crowbar, about 1ft. apart, in rows, after wards dropping a crown, with a portion of root attached, into the bottom. A large proportion succeed when treated in this way, and form straight roots in growing to the surface. Another successful method, which may, perhaps, be considered the best, is that adopted by some cultivators for market: Raised narrow beds are formed, somewhat like those for Asparagus, and any quantity of rich manure dug or trenched into them. In planting, straight roots, from 6in. to 9in. in length, are laid in a horizontal direction, about 1ft. apart, with the head, or crown part, to the outside edge, and covered with about 6in. of soil. The leaves from the crown turn and grow upright, and secondary roots grow from the main one downwards, and supply nourishment for enlarging it. In digging the large roots for use, it is only necessary to insert the spade horizontally beneath them, and lift the whole out. The secondary roots then form an excellent stock for treating in a similar way. Horse-Radish should be allowed two or three years to develop, and a plantation should be made annually to keep a succession. All the side shoots surrounding the crown should be removed, except the strongest one, and the ground frequently hoed between the plants, in summer. Any portion of the root grows, and forms a crown, which sometimes renders the plant a nuisance.