9 Dec, 1907.] Rhubarb Cultivation. 729 



RHUBARB CULTIVATION. 



/. Croiiiii, Inspector, Vegetation Diseases Acts. 



Rhubarb is the most important and popular perennial vegetable culti- 

 vated in Victoria. A considerable quantity is consumed at certain periods 

 of the year, and since the introduction of the variety Topp's Winter — a 

 practically evergreen type — supplies are available if required at' all 

 seasons. The area of land devoted to rhubarb culture for market has 

 decreased during the past ten years, the increased supply of early fruits 

 being responsible for the decrease. 



The greatest demand exists in spring, before the gooseberries and other 

 fruits suitable for culinary purposes similar to rhubarb are brought to the 

 markets, and during which period the finest rhubarb is produced. It is 

 estimated by officials of the Market Gardeners' Association that during the 

 period from late September to end of November from four to five thousand 

 dozen bunches per week are offered and readilv sold in the markets from 

 which the supply of Melbourne and suburbs, and some country towns, is dis- 

 tributed. At other seasons the demand is limited, except when a scarcity of 

 fruit occurs. The average price for the whole year is estimated at nine 

 pence to one shilling per dozen bunches, so that the revenue derived from 

 rhubarb culture is large, considering the limited area under the crop. 

 Unfortunately, there is no market outside this State for rhubarb, the 

 rapidity with which it loses its moisture and crispness, the factors that 

 make up quality, militating against its long carriage. The limit of suc- 

 cessful carriage of rhubarb is about 100 miles, and even then it often 

 arrives in poor condition in warm weather. 



The greater part of the rhubarb offered for sale in the Melbourne 

 markets is grown in the shire of Moorabbin, the principal gardens pro- 

 ducing it being situated at and near East Brighton. Smaller quantities 

 are grown at Ballarat, Bendigo, and Warragul, from which districts in 

 times of scarcity in Melbourne supplies are drawn ; while market gardens 

 near important towns in manv parts of the State produce sufficient for 

 local requirements. 



The present garden varieties of rhubarb are a great improvement on the 

 original species, Rheum Rhafonticum, a native of Eastern Asia; the im- 

 provement having been effected by culture and selection, and also inter- 

 crossing with other species. 



Soil Suitable for Rhubarb. 



The soil at East Brighton is a deep sandy loam, and is eminently suit- 

 able for the plant. Strong, retentive, or shallow soils, or soils such as the 

 deep porous loams of some of the hilly districts, where the soil moisture 

 is soon lost are not suited to the needs of this plant, unless considerably 

 ameliorated by the addition of large quantities of stable manure in the 

 case of the latter, and deep trenching, draining, and manuring, in the 

 former — operations too costly for the profitable culture of rhubarb for 

 sale. For home use almost any soil can be prepared to grow a supply, a 

 small bed of plants being sufficient for the needs of an average household. 

 The object of the cultivator should be to produce large, juicy, leaf-stalks, 

 and to that end a fairly open deep rich and well-drained soil is a necessity. 



