RHUBARB 199 



wide. Single roots, dug in the fall, weighed, with the 

 little soil that naturally adhered, from two to five pounds 

 and produced most excellent results in the forcing bed. 

 See page 202 for notes on yields from these roots. 



Seedlings may also be started under glass and planted 

 in the open the latter part of April. If there is danger of 

 frost, the young plants should be well hardened before 

 they are set in the open ground. They stand transplant- 

 ing well, and if started under glass the total period of 

 growth the first year is very much lengthened, which is 

 a great advantage in growing large roots. A soil of high 

 fertility, and the most thorough tillage, are absolutely 

 necessary for the growing of large roots in one season. 



Digging and storing roots. The roots are dug or 

 plowed out and stored in the same manner as asparagus 

 roots. See page 182. 



Preparing beds. Beds which are properly prepared for 

 the forcing of asparagus are equally suitable for rhubarb. 

 See pages 183, 186. 



Freezing roots. The growth of rhubarb under arti- 

 ficial conditions is accelerated by thoroughly freezing the 

 roots and giving them a rest period before they are 

 planted. Sometimes they are frozen in the field where 

 they are plowed out, or they may be exposed to hard 

 freezing at any time during the winter. They should be 

 frozen solid throughout. There is no danger of injuring 

 them by the lowest winter temperatures. It is undesir- 

 able, however, to leave the roots uncovered in the open 

 ground more than several days, because their vitality will 

 then be reduced by excessive loss of moisture. One to 

 three days of freezing will have the desired effect. In 

 mild climates where there is no hard freezing, drying 

 the roots for a short time has much the same effect as 

 freezing them, though drying should be avoided if 

 possible because it reduces their vitality. An excellent 

 plan is to dry the roots for a day and then pile them in an 



