beetles, by its own excrement, as shown in fig. 52. The perfect insect has a general resemblance to the Striped Cucumber-beetle.

The White Grub is a general feeder, and destroys the roots of many different plants. The larva is shown at fig. 53, and the perfect beetle, the well-known June-bug, in fig. 54.

The principal insect enemies of the sweet-potato are the Tortoise-beetles, of which there are several, some of

them of singular beauty. One of them, the Clubbed Tortoise-beetle (Deloyala clavata, fig. 55), forms an exception, and selects the common or Irish potato as its food plant, feeding upon it in its perfect state, the larva of this species being unknown.

The Blister-beetles feed upon the foliage in the perfect state only. They are sometimes quite abundant, particularly upon the second crop. Some of the farmers near Savannah were compelled to use Paris green last season, to stay the ravages of Lytta marginata.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE RADISH (Raphanus sativus).

Radis and Rave French; Rettig, German; Tamme radijs, Dutch; Rafano Italian; and Rabano, Spanish.

The Radish is not known in the wild state, and its native country is doubtful. It is mentioned as being cultivated in England in 1584.

The radish, to be marketable, should not lose its acceptable crispness, and I have, therefore, never heard of its satisfactory cultivation for the Northern markets south of Norfolk.

The varieties there used are: "The Long Scarlet Short Top," and "The Scarlet Turnip," which are sown, as the season will admit, at any time from Christmas to the last of February. A light, mellow soil is best adapted to this crop, ag it produces cleaner, nicer radishes, and of better flavor, than a heavier soil. This applies particularly to the longer-rooted

va ieties. The manure should Fig. 56.-SCARLET TURNIPbe deeply plowed under. The

RADISH.

field having been plowed in narrow lands and finely harrowed, the seed is sown broadcast at the rate of about twelve pounds to the acre, and covered with a light harrow. The crop is sometimes large enough to be marketable in March, but it is generally shipped throughout April. The radishes are washed, bunched, and packed tightly in ventilated barrels, generally holding about two hundred bunches. The price

ranges low; but these vegetables sometimes sell as high as eight dollars per barrel. In case of very warm weather, a lump of ice is of late years sometimes packed in the centre of the barrel.

CHAPTER XXV.

SPINACH (Spinacia oleracea).

Epinard, French; Spinat, German; Spinagie, Dutch; Spinaci, Italian; Espinaca, Spanish.

The common Spinach is an annual plant, supposed to be a native of Western Asia and to have been introduced into England about the commencement of the sixteenth century. Spinach is very extensively used at the North, and when the supply of other green vegetables has been short, that grown at Norfolk has sold for eight dollars per barrel; but the price is very variable. I have never heard of its being grown for the Northern markets, as far south as Charleston. The variety raised at Norfolk is the "Improved Curled American Savoy." The seed is sown from September 10th until October 15th, in drills thirty inches apart, requiring from ten to twelve pounds to the acre. The land must be warm and strong, and the plant requires exceedingly rich manuring. The gardeners at Norfolk supplement their stable manure with Peruvian guano. Some of them add to the heavy manuring given in the fall a top-dressing of a ton to the acre of the best guano. The crop occasionally pays well, but costs the best growers one hundred and fifty dollars per

acre to raise it. When the land is very good, the rows may be only eighteen inches apart. This plant, like the cauliflower, must never be stunted, but be pushed from the start.

When the leaves are about an inch broad, the plants

are thinned to from six to eight inches. The crop must be frequently hoed. The Norfolk crop is marketed in March, and is packed tightly in ventilated barrels.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE SQUASH (Cucurbita Pepo.)

Courge Melonée, French; Melonenkürbis, German.

The Squash is a native of the Levant, and was first introduced into England in 1597. The Summer Squash is an early vegetable, bears transportation well, if picked at a proper stage of growth, and brings satisfactory, though never fancy prices. Sometimes, however, a part of the crop may be left on the farmer's hands. With the

large, but late and unproductive winter squashes, the truck-farmer has no concern. Of the early summer squashes the two varieties cultivated for the Northern

Fig. 58.-SQUASH-WHITE BUSH SCALLOP.

markets are: the "Early White Bush Scallop," fig. 58, and the "Early Summer Crook-neck," fig. 59.

The latter is much the best flavored of all the bush squashes. It is of a dark orange color and is covered with warty excrescences. When sufficiently grown for

Fig. 59.-SQUASH-SUMMER CROOK-NECK.

shipment, it is about ten inches long. Although this may sometimes be preferred, and occasionally command a better price, the scallop squash is the favorite, as it bears transportation and is packed much better. The