2019 ASHS Annual Conference

This story of Extension problem solving revolves around the mystery of the disappearance and rediscovery of a radish, the Long Beach Red radish (LBR). Starting in the early 20^th century Long Beach, Mississippi was a major player in truck cropping. Many vegetables were grown and shipped, but the primary crop was a radish, known then as the Long Beach Red radish. This radish was so long it looked like a red carrot, about six to seven inches long. Long Beach earned the title of the Radish Capital of the World. In the winter months seeds were sent south for growing and the impressive numbers of harvested LBR, up to 300 railroad boxcars, were shipped up north during the winter months, where they were sliced and set out as bar snacks in northern saloons and beer halls. Other production areas became more favorable and the LBR disappeared. Searching the Mississippi State University Extension records from that time yielded no results. The trail was cold. There were no seed companies advertising LBR seed. By accident a similar radish to the LBR was found, called the Cincinnati Market radish (CMR). Research on this variety revealed it was first bred in the Cincinnati, OH area in the mid-1850s. These seeds were sent south during the winter for shipment back to the north. The disappearance of LBR was the result of using common names. Cincinnati Market Radishes are available from several seed companies. And the first Long Beach Red radishes in 80 years have been grown and promoted across Mississippi by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.