192 



VEGETABLE FORCING 



being forced are wanted for propagation, as is sometimes 

 the case, they must be lifted from the beds before they 

 are completely exhausted, and stored in a cool, moist 

 place until wanted for planting in the field or garden. 



Forcing in permanent beds. Rhubarb may be forced 

 in the beds where the plants stand by using practically 

 the same methods as those used for asparagus, explained 

 in Chapter XII. 



The placing of barrels over hills is a favorite practice 

 among home gardeners, and this plan is used to some 

 extent by commercial growers. Sometimes a shallow 



trench is dug around the 

 hill so that the barrel 

 will stand a few inches 

 below the surface of the 

 ground. No other pro- 

 tection may be given the 

 plant, but if rapid 

 growth is desired, hot 

 manure must be piled 

 and packed around the 

 outside of the barrel, and 

 the latter covered with 

 boards if maximum heat 

 is required. Barrels are 

 used in this way in the 

 spring of the year when 

 there is no further dan- 

 ger of hard, freezing 

 weather. The method is 

 most suitable for home 

 gardens. 



Market gardeners 

 sometimes grow special 

 beds of rhubarb to be 

 used for forcing, and 



Fig. 62. Rhubarb stalks grown from 

 roots planted in coal ashes. 



