Growing the New Everbearing 

 Crimson Wi nte r Rhubarb. 



AN INVITING INDUSTRY FOR WOMEN. 



riR*. TNB0D05IA B. SHEPHBRD. 



THE most valuable acquisition to the horticultural world in many years 

 is the new everbearing crimson winter rhubarb, tested, introduced 

 and recommended by Luther Burbank. It promises to become the 

 most profitable thing the soil produces. Its superiority in every 

 way to the old deciduous rhubarb makes it by far the most desirable 

 variety worth growing in California. 

 This new prodigy of the soil is ever-bearing, requires no stringing, has 

 a mild acid taste combined with a delicious berry-like flavor, and when 

 properly cooked its sauce is a most beautiful bright strawberry red. There 

 ts no fruit offered in the market which when stewed excels it, either In 

 delicacy of flavor or in beauty. It is easily grown and comes into bearing 

 the first year, paying all the expense of plants and cultivation, picking, 

 packing, etc., and a handsome profit besides; while the following years the 

 profit is enormous. From a little over three-quarters of an acre last year 

 the writer gathered and shipped seven tons of stems from January 10th 

 to July 10th, at which last date the plants were seventeen months old. 

 We received 4 1-2c to 5c per pound. A much better price could have 

 been realized if we had sought a market outside the State where winter 

 prevails during the height of this fruit's season. 



This rhubarb is very easily grown. The roots instead of being chunky 

 like the old variety are long like the parsnip and grow from 12 to 18 

 inches in length. Young plants about the size of a penholder set out even 

 as late as July, if properly cared for and cultivated, will come into bearing 

 Dy Christmas. The plants usually send forth from six to ten crowns, 

 out frequently make many more, and as fast as the stems are pulled 

 others take their places. They are at their best from October till June. 



Although the plant is everbearing it is well to give it a rest during 

 midsummer if a heavy crop ms desired during the fall and winter. The 

 stems can be used at all seasons, and the sauce, like that of the apple, 

 possesses the great merit of being always welcome, having a peculiar 

 flavor of which one never tires. It can be used as a standby 

 at all seasons of the year. A fruit so highly appreciated in a country like 

 California, where fruits are abundant at all seasons must be hailed with 

 delight in those regions where winter reigns many months in the year, and 

 where the delicious products of California's sun-kissed orchards are hailed as 

 welcome visitors. 



Crimson winter rhubarb will grow in any good rich soil and requires 

 no fertilizer. It takes from 3,000 to 4,000 plants to the acre, and after 

 Decoming established requires water but three or four times during the 

 dry season. To make a success of this plant financially it should be grown 

 in such quantities that it can be shipped by the carload. There is not only 

 the home market to be supplied, but the shipping market is always hungry 

 and can be relied upon as a regular outlet for an immense product. The 

 cultivation of this new wealth-producer is an occupation in which any intel- 

 ligent energetic woman can succeed, and I hope in the near future that 

 women, realizing the handsome profits and healthful work connected with 

 its cultivation will be leading in the industry and growing hundreds of acres 

 of this rhubarb. I know of no product the ground can produce that will 

 yield greater profit with less labor and in a shorter period than crimson 

 winter rhubarb. 



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