The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-04-30
Fartlt ans GarSttt.
GARDENING FoR-PRoFIT,
HoRsERADIsH.

|
Among the numerous articles of
trucking to which eur gardeners and
small farmers might properly direct
their attention, the horseradish is one
that may be safely recommended, be-
ing both easy of culture, and abundant
in yield. Ii is every year growing in
i to favor as one of the most wholesome
d and pleasant condiments with which
the table can be supplied. Near the
great cities it is very largely cultivated,
always in season meeting with ready
sale, and the profit has got to be enor-
nous. The facilities of trans 9ortation
enable lis to compete with the produc-
ers ofany other secti0n; and in this, as
lin all other things, the Unsuitable nav
of the great Northern markets is ready
to absorb every thing we can furnish.
A great advantage in the cultivation
OF horseradish is that it may be, and
usually is, raised as second CROP
Land, for instance, that has been plant
ed in early cabbages, may be occupied
/ by it when they are removed; and the
/ preparation tor one is well adapted to
the other. II is time enough to plant
by the first of May; and as the growth
OF the roots is mainly during the fall
months, the crop requires no particular
ing of the cuttings need not at all in
terfere with the working of the cabbag-
es, for even If the crowns Should be cut
of, the vitality of the plant is not i'm
paired. 1t is as tenacious of life as the
yellow dock, to which, in fact it is bo-
tanicall, nearly allied.
Suppose then that the gardener has
square or an acre of Early Yorks, which
will be ready for market during the
months of June and July; and s1fppose,
farther, that they are planted -1n-rows
two feet, or two and half feet-apart.
Midway between the rows is the place
to plant the cuttings of horseradish, at
distances OF from 10 to Is inches in the
row. Ii the rows are two feet apart
the number of cuttings needed for an
acre will be about I4,000-and so of any
other distance. The planting is per-
formed by making a hole or 10 inches
deep with dibble, into which is drop
ped the horseradish- set, so that its top
will be two or three inches under the
surface. Then leave it to take care of
itself until the cabbages have matured
and been sold off, In working the cab
bages, have no reference to the horse
radish, for though it may have begun
to grow and put out leaves, cutting
them off with the hoe two orthree times
will do no harm. vs.
N was the old custom to divide the
crowns OF the roots for tho purpose of
making sets. This may answer we'll
enough for domestic purposes, but not
for marketing. Crowns never make
slightly roots. The best SETS are pre-
pared from rootlets, which should BE-
from tour TO six inches in length, and
FROM onc-quarter to half an inch in lii
ametcr. In getting ready the roots for
market, all the laterals should be care
fully takeno oil and reserved for plant
ing. They may at tie same time be
cut into proper lengths, and slowed a.
way i'll boxes of sand or sawdust, and
placed in a cool cellar for safe keeping
till wanted. Or they may be covered
up in the open ground in cold expos
ure. In preparing the cuttings it is
necessary to obsei We one preca1tion to
prevent confusion or mistake in plans-
ing; the top end should be cut off square,.
and the bottom obliquely. With this
as, guide, there is no danger of making
mi stakes. s-4-
The crop is harvested in December,
after one years growth. Illeft to take
a second years growth, the roots be-
come strngy and almost unfit for use.
They are slowed away in pits like po-
tatoes or other garden roots, TO be tax
en- out as wanted for market. An
acre of rich land is estimated to Weld
four or five tons, and the price for sew
eral years in New York has averaged
5000 ton. Such heavy crops, howev-
er. are only obtained under the highest
culture, and it would perhaps not be
safe for a beginner to calculate on more
than half that quantity. SO h.Ff
D..k Ill I H.. ar
made in this neighborhood to introduce
the horseradish as a market product,
as We are shat it would be %
addition 20 our list of market
The cuttings may be had
at a moderate price OF our townsmen,
A. Whitehead & Sons, on Bollingbrook
street, who have advertised them in
the INDEX; and who are ready to order
them in any number for those who are
inclined to. make an experiment ia the
cuGlvatioa. Pet. Inde9. VA