RHUBARB 18? 



downward and sideways, and care should be taken not to 

 be so rough about it as to pull the buds from the crown 

 at the same time. There is little danger of pulling more 

 leaves than the plant can stand without injury, but in 

 the case of a young plantation it would not be well to 

 remove more than one-half of the leaves at any one time. 

 The stalks are most in demand early in the spring, but 

 there is more or less call for them all summer. The 

 seed stalks should be cut off as soon as they appear, so as 



Fig. 73. Pieces of rhubarb roots cut off for planting out. 



to throw their strength into leaves and to prevent the 

 formation of seed, if the largest amount of stalks is wanted. 

 Forcing Rhubarb. For winter and spring use rhubarb 

 is often forced in greenhouses and cold frames. The roots 

 of any age are taken up in autumn, crowded together under 

 the benches in greenhouses or placed in boxes or barrels 

 with a little soil between them, and then in February are 

 put in any convenient place in the greenhouse or 

 in a warm light room or cellar where they start into 

 growth. They are also planted out in warm sheds. 

 When a business is made of forcing rhubarb in sheds, two- 



