==The Wart Disease (Black Scab) of Potatoes== (=Synchytrium endobioticum=, Percival) is dealt with in the chapter on ’The Fungus Pests of certain Garden Plants.’

==Pumpkin==—­=see= ==Gourd==, =page 63=

==Radish==

==Raphanus sativus==

The Radish is often badly grown through being sown too thickly, or on lumpy ground, or in places not favourable to quick vegetation.  Radishes grown slowly become tough, pungent and worthless.  On the other hand, those which are grown quickly on rich, mellow ground are attractive in appearance, delicate in flavour, and as digestible as any salad in common use.  It should be understood that earliness is of the very first importance, and that large Radishes are never wanted.  To insure a quick growth and a handsome sample the ground must not only be good, but finely broken up.

==Frame Culture.==—­For the earliest crops it is advisable to make a semi-hot-bed, by removing a portion of the surface soil, and laying down about two-feet depth of half-rotten stable manure, on which spread four inches of fine earth, and then cover with frames.  Sow the seed thinly, and put on the lights.  When the plants appear, give air at every opportunity to keep the growth dwarf, and cover with mats during frost, always taking care to uncover as often as possible to give light, for if the tops are drawn the roots will be of little account.  Where the plants are crowded, thin them, allowing every plant just room enough to spread out its top without overlapping its neighbour.  Sowings made in this way in December, January, and February will supply an abundance of beautiful Radishes in early spring, when they are greatly valued.  To follow the outdoor crops frame culture will again be necessary in autumn.

==Outdoor Culture.==—­The second crop (which in many gardens will be the first) may be sown on warm, dry borders in February.  Within a few days after sowing, collect a quantity of dry litter, and lay it up in a shed ready for use.  It happens often that we have warm, bright weather in February, and the Radishes start quickly and make good progress, and then may come a severe frost, when the litter must be spread as lightly as possible, three or four inches thick.  These open-ground sowings will bear cold well, but they should not be allowed to get frozen, and therefore semi-hot-beds may be employed.  If time and materials appear excessive for such a purpose, it should be remembered that this is a capital way of preparing for the next crop, whatever it may be, and is a particularly good method of preparing for Peas that are to be sown in the month of April, by which time the earliest sown Radishes will be off the ground.  Successive sowings should be made from March to September in the coolest place that can be found for them, and the usual practice of four-feet beds will answer very well.  In many gardens sufficient supplies of Radishes are obtained by sowing in the