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VEGETABLE GARDENING 



desired to propagate the specially valuable qualities of 

 individual plants, it is done by dividing the roots, using 

 care to take at least one good bud with each piece of root. 

 This is the only sure way of getting the best plants. 



Fig. 72. Rhubarb plants in flower. 



It is preferable to set the plants out in the fall where 

 they are to grow, but early spring planting is often followed. 

 They should be set in the richest of land, four feet apart 

 each way. The stalks should not be pulled up until the 

 spring of the second year and then only to a small extent ; 

 the third year they should give a good crop. The only 

 culture needed is to keep the soil loose, free from weeds, and to 

 use plenty of manure. Twenty-five tons of stable manure 

 per acre are sometimes applied. Stable manure is better 

 than commercial fertilizers, because it also supplies humus 

 and helps hold moisture in the soil. In gathering rhubarb 

 the stalks should be removed from the crown by a jerk 



