This plant will thrive best in a deep, rich soil, where there is
plenty of moisture. The rows should be 3 feet apart and the plants 12
to 18 inches apart in the row. Tops cut from large roots or pieces
of small roots are used for planting. A comparatively few hills of
horse-radish will be sufficient for family use, and the roots required
for starting can be secured of seedsmen for 25 or 30 cents a dozen.
This crop will require no particular cultivation except to keep down
the weeds, and is inclined to become a weed itself if not controlled.
The large fleshy roots are prepared for use by peeling and grating.
The grated root is treated with a little salt and vinegar and served
as a relish with meats, oysters, etc. The roots should be dug during
the winter or early spring before the leaves start. After being treated
with salt and vinegar the grated root may be bottled for summer use.
As this has always been considered strictly a cold-weather plant, is
would seem useless to try to grow it in Porto Rico, but, as it gave
very favorable results at this station, it can no doubt be produced for
local consumption. It is practically unknown in Porto Rico, but most
people acquire a taste for it, and foreigners, who are used to it in
their native country, will find it very gratifying that they can grow
it here. In the North it thrives in any soil from a light sand to a
heavy clay, but prefers a medium heavy loam. Here it grows luxuriantly
in heavy clay but may not do so well in sand. It is planted from
cuttings of the lateral roots, which should be from 4 to 6 inches long
and planted at a distance of 12 to 15 inches in rows 24 to 30 inches
apart. Root cuttings can be obtained either in spring or fall from any
seed firm, and these should be planted when received. The roots can
be dug when large enough for use or can be left in the ground until
wanted.--(F. B. 255: U. Id. E. S. 10; P. Rico E. S. 7.)