618 MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES. 



table markets, it is of very recent date. In 1810, Mr. Joseph 

 Myatts, of Deptford, England, long known for his successful 

 culture of this plant, sent his two sons to the borough-market 

 with five bunches of Rhubarb stalks, of which they could sell 

 but three." It is now disposed of by the ton, and many acres 

 in the vicinity of nearly all large towns and cities are devoted 

 exclusively to its cultivation. 



Varieties. These are very numerous, as they are readily 

 produced from the seed ; but the number really deserving of 

 cultivation is comparatively limited. Old kinds are constantly 

 giving place to new, either on account of superior earliness, 

 size, productiveness, or quality. The following are the prom- 

 inent sorts cultivated : 



Gaboon. Leaves remarkably large, often broader than 



long, and more rounded than those of most va- 

 rieties ; stalk short and thick, if well grown, measuring 

 from twelve to sixteen inches in length, and three inches or 

 more in diameter ; skin thick, uniformly green. 



Its remarkable size is its principal recommendation. The 

 texture is coarse, the flavor is harsh and strong, and it is 

 rarely employed for culinary purposes. 



In some localities, it is cultivated to a limited extent for 

 the manufacture of wine, the juice being expressed from the 

 stalks, and sugar added in the ratio of three pounds and a 

 half to a gallon. This wine, though quite palatable, has lit- 

 tle of the fine aroma of that made from the grape, and, if 

 not actually deleterious, is much less safe and healthful. Any 

 of the other varieties may be used for the same purpose, the 

 principal superiority of the Cahoon consisting in its larger 

 stalks, and consequently its greater product of juice. 



Downing's A large variety, nearly of the size of Myatt's 



Colossal. ... 



Victoria. It is described as being less acid than 



the last named, and of a fine, rich, aromatic flavor. 



